On 9th January, last day of the Chapter of Mats, the Franciscan friars met at 9am for Morning Prayers. Immediately afterwards, Fr. Giacomo Bini delivered his second talk, dealing with the Fraternity as an expression of our charism (gift of the Spirit) of evangelical life, and as the best environment for our life of prayer.

He spoke especially upon the importance of the fraternity as the place in which one works for the well-being of his brothers and feels responsible with them for building up good relations with God and others.

After the talk the friars met into five groups to work in workshops. At the end of the workshops they also had time to make an evaluation of what they had heard during the talks of Fr. Bini. During the plenary session, the Minister Provincial, Fr. Paul Galea, presented his feedback on the various points which were discussed in the workshops. He said that every workshop stressed that fraternity is an essential part of our Franciscan calling. However, we need to strengthen our sense of belonging to the fraternity.

One friar noted that the sense of living together is our most important witness in the world today. Today’s people appreciate the way we can live and work together, although we are not perfect. We share our good and bad times, just like other people from all walks of life, but everything for us makes sense if we see it through the eyes of God. Another friar said that these two days have been fruitful, and we hope that the seed that was sown by Fr. Bini’s talks will bear fruit in the future.

The resolutions which came out of the workshops included a more active participation in the yearly retreat, the use of the material of the chapter during local chapters in the Fraternities, and the possibility of making this material available on CD. After a short break the friars met for a Lectio Divina, which was a biblical reflection upon St. Luke 24,13-35, the episode of the disciples of Emmaus. This reflection was given by Fr. Marcello Ghirlando OFM. Some of the friars gave their personal reflection on this particular Gospel text within the context of fraternal life.

We thank Fr. Giacomo Bini, ex-Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor (1997-2003) for his interesting input and his prophetic style in animating the Chapter of Mats of the Maltese Franciscan Province. Our Province badly needs occasions like this, in order to enhance our sense of belonging to the Franciscan family and to pray for new vocations to the Franciscan life.