Franciscans invited to Chapter of Mats in Rome Nov. 14-19, 2024
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Tibor KauserHave you ever dreamed of celebrating in joy and fraternity with Franciscans from around the world?
The opportunity is coming Nov. 14-19, 2024, in Rome, Italy, with the Chapter of Mats for the Secular Franciscan Order and YouFra.
This will follow the XVII Ordinary General Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order Nov. 9-14, 2024.
Although the event is nearly two years away, those interested are asked to let their regional ministers know by Jan. 15, 2023. Your indication of interest is non-binding but will help the international council plan for the event.
Participation is not limited to professed members of the OFS. All Secular Franciscans and their families are invited along with spiritual assistants and YouFra members, according to Tibor Kauser, OFS, the CIOFS minister general.
“In the spirit of our Franciscan charism, the Chapter of Mats will be very simple, and intentionally kept at low costs, so that nobody will have difficulties to pay the necessary costs,” Tibor said.
OFS families will host many participants in Italy while others will be hosted in convents and retreat houses with simple accommodations. This is to help keep the cost of participation down. Travel will be organized and paid by each participant. There will be a solidarity fund to help those who do need it, but financial resources will be limited, said Tibor.
An estimated 3,000 and 10,000 brothers and sisters are expected to attend.
The Chapter of Mats is intended to strengthen Franciscan spirituality, renew our sense of belonging and contribute to celebrating the Franciscan Centenaries that begin in 2023.
Read Tibor’s letter about the Chapter of Mats for more information.
Franciscans invited to Chapter of Mats in Rome Nov. 14-19, 2024
Christmas Message from General Minister Tibor Kauser, OFS
The Christmas message of joy, hope, service, and the onset of our celebration of Franciscan centenaries are expressed in CIOFS General Minister Tibor Kauser’s Christmas letter.
“Do not think about Christmas as a cozy feast but let us make it a feast of being children of God,” Tibor said.
The Franciscan life is about service to God and others, and Christmas reminds us of that. “Let’s discover the Jesus in the other who deserves our worship, asks for our helpful service, awaits our presence and attention,” he said.
Christmas also brings us closer to celebrating two important centenaries in 2023—the 800th anniversary of the Rule and St. Francis’s introduction of the creche in Greccio.
“I invite all of you to live these celebrations not only by remembering some significant moments in the life of Saint Francis, but look at these events as great possibilities to renew our faith, to renew the way we live our rich Franciscan charism,” Tibor said.
Tibor also acknowledged the heartache of personal and global challenges this year and conveyed his love for his brothers and sisters in the order.
He invited Secular Franciscans to gather in November 2024 at the Chapter of Mats in Rome, Italy.
Read the full text of Tibor Kauser’s 2022 Christmas Letter to Secular Franciscans.
2022 EN Christmas letter English
2022 Christmas letter Spanish