ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR: PRESERVE YOUR MISSIONARY STYLE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 4, 2003 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from the Pope to Fr. Giacomo Bini, general minister of the Order of Friars Minor, and to participants in the Order's ordinary general chapter celebrated in Assisi, Italy.

In the Message, dated May 10, the Holy Father urges the religious to follow the example of the teachers and models of sanctity through "greater knowledge of their lives, invoking them with devotion and commemorating them on their liturgical feasts."

In addition, John Paul II writes, "it is important that the Order preserve its own missionary style characterized by poverty and community life, animated by a spirit of contemplation and an authentic search for justice, peace and respect for creation. Furthermore, it is indispensable that every one of your members and all the fraternities work together to build a single Church of Christ, in accordance and full communion with the pastors of local Christian communities."

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