La Spezia is an Italian city located between Pisa and Genoa, four hundred and twenty
kilometers from Rome. It was built in the narrow valley that connects the mountains with the
Ligurian Sea, belonging to the Mediterranean.
Social Justice
Letter From the General Minister for the VII World Day of the Poor. XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time -19th November, 2023
To all the Brothers of the Order of Friars Minor Dear Brothers,
Assisi, 4th October 2023
May the Lord give you His peace!
The World Day of the Poor is again before us, the seventh so desired by Pope Francis and I would like to bring to our attention the Message that the Pope wrote for the occasion on the 13th June on the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, brother and friend of the poor. The invitation is to read it personally and in fraternity, with our lay people and collaborators, «to discover ever anew the heart of the Gospel».
Parish Ministry and Helping Migrants
A short visit to Custody of St. Anthony of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei, from 22-25 October 2023, was done by Br. Taucen, OFM on behalf of JPIC OFM in Rome. The aims were to share with the friars regarding JPIC’s activities and matters, to listen to their experiences due to the JPIC animation plan, and to look forward on ongoing formation program for JPIC animators.
JPIC OFM participated in International Thematic Forum (TSF) on Mining and Extractive Economy
The meeting was held in Semarang, Central Java-Indonesia, from 16-20 October 2023, where the participants came from 60 nationalities around the globe, including a representative from JPIC Office in Rome, Br. Taucen OFM, a representative from Brazil, Br. Rodriquez Perets OFM, and a representative from Indonesia, Br. Mikael Gabra Satrio, OFM.
CLAMOR Network. 6th General Assembly: Analysis of the new migration scenarios
Daniel Rodríguez Blanco, OFM, as Director of the General Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation and member of the Board of Directors of the Franciscan Migrant Network of the Americas (FMN), and Vianey Martínez, Executive Secretary of the FMN, participated in this Assembly.
JPIC at the General Assembly of the Franciscan Family of Central America
The Franciscan Family of Central America held its General Assembly on the 25th and 26th of August, 2023 at the Monte Alvernia Retreat House, San Salvador, El Salvador. fr. Daniel Rodríguez Blanco, Director of the JPIC General Office, was invited to share the work carried out by this Office and, specifically, on the Franciscan Network for Migrants of the Americas (FNM).
Friars distribute help to flood victims amidst talks on care and protection of the environment in Rwanda
In the month of May this year, torrential rains flooded western and northern provinces of Rwanda triggering flash flooding and landslides which left at least 130 people dead, 18 000 people displaced, 6000 houses damaged and others facilities such as roads, bridges schools, health care centers demolished.
‘Biscuit for Myanmar’
We Korean OFM JPIC committee held an Open Dialogue on fundraising for ‘Biscuit for Myanmar’ (Emergency Food Assistance for Myanmar refugees) from 16:00 to 18:00 on July 14 at San Damiano cafe, with KOCO (Korean Solidarity for Overseas Community Organization) as a co-organizer.
JPIC, Franciscans International and the United Nations in an effort to realize a more just, fraternal and reconciliatory world
From 26-29 June 2023, Br. Taucen Girsang and Br. Daniel Rodriguez Blanco from JPIC Office in Rome were in Geneva to participate in different sessions of the 53rd General Assembly of the United Nations (UN).