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WELCOMING THE VISITATOR GENERAL

Alphonse Valankanni, OFM

The Visitator General, Noel Muscat arrived in Bengaluru on Thursday 16th June afternoon. Since it was a weekday, Friars were all busy with their ministries, so we could not welcome him in the afternoon, therefore the community decided to prepare a solemn fraternal welcome in the evening at 7.30. As planned, all the Friars from both the communities gathered at the entrance of the Friary to welcome the Visitator General. We welcomed him by singing a Franciscan hymn “My brothers my sisters come listen to me…” the welcoming address was given by Brother Praveen. He introduced Br. Noel Muscat by enumerating with a number of his enormous contributions to the order. The welcome was in our keeping with Indian traditional, Aarti was offered by the student friars. A Garland and Flower bouquet were given by both the Guardians. Then in procession we entered the Friary Chapel for the evening vespers. Before we began our prayer, Brother Gabriel explained the meaning of the term “Visitator General '' saying that the Visitator was one who represents the person of the Minister General and acts in his name. The Visitation is a careful examination of the government and lifestyle of Provinces, the Entities and Houses of the Order, as well as of the life and mission of the friars assigned to them. After the Magnificat, each friar welcomed Br. Noel Muscat by exchanging with him a kiss of peace, thanking God for his presence among us. At the end, the Visitator General gave us the final blessing and we all proceeded to the refectory for a fellowship meal. He begins the Visitation from Monday 20th of June. Let us pray that the Spirit of the Lord may grant him and us a time of grace and inspiration and that the Spirit accompany Br. Noel in all his endeavours for the good of our province and the Order!

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