1857 - 2007
Bro.
Mauro interviewed by Vatican Radio
In the interview on Vatican Radio, Br. Mauro reflected on the Holy Father’s
Christmas homily. He centered on the Pope’s word about the human advances
in the field of science and of technology but at the same time, humankinds’
inability to resolve the issues of justice and of peace in the world.
Nevertheless, in all of this, “Christ is still the Savior of humankind today.” In order to testify to this reality, in the mind of the Minister General, there must be coherence in our lives, especially if we want to give credible testimony. Br. Mauro stated in the interview that he begins the New Year with hope in his heart even though there are many problems in our world. He concluded his conversation on Vatican Radio with a few words about St. Francis’ words on “perfect joy”. “Perfect joy comes to me,” the Minister General stated, “from the reality that God loves humankind. No one can take away from me or separate me from this most profound reality that the love of God is for me!”
The meeting of the newly elected Superiors takes place each year at the beginning of January in Frascati, Italy. Each time those ministers who are newly elected or nominated for the first time in the preceding year are invited to this gathering. The program unfolds in two parts: first of all, the participants meet with the Minister General and his Definitors, who dwell on the themes relevant to the animation of the Capuchin Order. In the second part, various offices and institutions central to the General Curia and to the Order are presented to the group.
The Minister General and the Definitors are elected by the General Chapter. The task of the Definitors, according to the law, is to assist the Minister General in the Government of the entire Order. Nevertheless each Definitor is assigned a particular area of work to which he is more closely associated and for which he is more directly responsible. In this way there are eight areas of responsibility, each of which is assigned to one or the other of the Definitors General.
General Definitory meetings are held every two or three months. Each meeting lasts from one to three weeks. There are usually around 100 topics on the agenda. Apart from theses, when real need arises, with due notice a few more brief meetings are also held.
