The Chapter of Mats of the Maltese Franciscan Province began on Sunday 7 January, solemnity of the Epiphany, with a Mass celebrated by the Minister Provincial of the Franciscans, Fr. Paul Galea OFM, at the Poor Clares Monastery in St. Julians. The Mass also marked the feast of the titular of the church of the Poor Clares, namely the Child Jesus of the Epiphany.

A Chapter of Mats is so called because, in 1221, when St. Francis, gathered over 3000 friars at the Porziuncola chapel in Assisi, for a general meeting, or Chapter, they lived in huts and tents made of reeds. Every Province of the Order celebrates a Chapter of Mats, which is a spiritual event for renewal, and which is distinct from the Provincial Chapter in which the Minister Provincial and the other officials of the Province are elected for a 6 year period.

During his homily the Minister Provincial stessed upon the importance of the Chapter of Mats as an occasion for spiritual renewal of each and every friars. The celebration was concluded by the Mother Abbess of the Poor Clares, Sr. Rose Therese Ellis OSC, who encouraged the friars to remain united in prayer and fraternity. She also promised the prayers of the Poor Clares for all the Maltese Franciscan Province.

The main speaker during the Chapter of Mats will be Fr. Giacomo Bini OFM, the ex-Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor. For the first time we are including the homily of the Minister Provincial and the concluding speech of the Mother Abbess in audio format.