Missionary Training Course for Europe

The second Inter-Franciscan Virtual Missionary Formation Course for Europe, organized by the General Secretariats of Evangelization and Mission of the Friars Minor, Friars Minor Conventual and Friars Minor Capuchin, by mandate of the General Ministers, has concluded.

The course was held on Nov. 26, 27 and 28, 2024, at our General Curia in Rome with the theme “Evangelization of Young People in Europe” with the aim of reflecting, updating, animating and reviving in Franciscans the commitment to go out to meet the new generation of today, hoping that in evangelization we will be animated by the same impetus as Francis of Assisi, when, at the Portiuncula, hearing the Gospel of the sending of the disciples, he exclaimed: “this I want, this I desire, this I long to do with all my heart.”

Each day, one of the General Ministers addressed the gathering, followed by a presentation and then time for questions and insights. Also, experiences in ministry with young people were shared by one of the three Orders each day, as were addresses from the three General Secretaries for Evangelization and Mission that brought each session to a close.

In addition to the addresses by the General Ministers, with many insights for reflection on the theme, the three speakers delivered very timely reflections on the apostolate with young people in Europe. On the first day, the presentation was given by Cardinal Cristobal Lopez, SDB who has extensive experience with youth ministry. He presented the theme the “Evangelization of young people in Europe today.” The second day’s reflection was by Br. Enzo Biemmi, FSF, on the theme, “Listening to Young People. The Call for a New Christianity.” On the third day, the theme was treated by Sr. Paola Fortunio, FMCIM, with the title, “The Franciscan Charism: a Bridge of Encounter with Young People in Europe.” The attending friars showed great interest in all three presentations and asked many questions.

The course was simultaneously translated into English, French, Spanish, Polish and Croatian. We are now trying to have available written translations of the talks as well. The transmissions were done with the technical support of Fr. Francisco Javier Castillo, head of our General Curia Communications Office. The moderator of the three days was our own Fr. Mariosvaldo Florentino, Secretary General for Evangelization and Mission.   

Conference texts and videos are available for more reflection on the path of youth evangelization in Europe. See the following link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GDCR5ETSmlHWMda2aNRfL0O2UEERpQsk?usp=share_link