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Chapter of Mats 2025: Renewing the Franciscan Charism Through Global Fraternity

The International Chapter of the Mats 2025, held from 2nd to 8th June in Assisi, gathered friars, sisters, and lay Franciscans from around the world. Hosted at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, the event opened with a symbolic candle procession and a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Massimo Fusarelli, OFM Minister General, emphasizing communal discernment and the joy of fraternity.

Each Franciscan conference presented its local experiences and reflections, fostering intercultural sharing. A major part of the chapter used the “World Café” methodology, engaging participants in deep dialogue on three core themes from the Instrumentum Laboris:

• 1.Charism – Reimagining the vision of the Franciscan vocation today.
• 2.Communion – Living Gospel-based fraternity in diversity.
• 3.Mission – Being witnesses of peace, justice, and creation care in a fractured world.

Key interventions by Br. Derrick Yap, Sr. Thérèse Myriam, and Prof. Eduardo Ribón Badillo challenged participants to:

• 1.Embrace synodality and vulnerability.
• 2.Embrace synodality and vulnerability.
• 3.Integrate ecology and social justice into the Franciscan mission.

Sr. Ruth Dias FSM, Br. Santosh Ekka, Custos of Mary the Mother of God Custody – India, and Br. John Sekar, Secretary of the Province, participated in the gathering as delegates from the South Asia, Australia, and Oceania Conference (SAAOC).

The pilgrimage to Assisi on the sixth day spiritually enriched the participants, culminating in the presentation and discussion of the Final Document. It articulated a renewed commitment to Franciscan identity, minority, and global mission. The chapter concluded with multilingual prayer and the anticipated Pentecost Day approval of the Final Document.

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