The Custodial Chapter officially opened with the celebration of the Holy Mass in the church of the convent of the Most Holy Savior, presided over by the Most Reverend Minister General, Fr. Massimo Fusarelli, OFM. At the end of the celebration, a solemn procession took place toward the chapter hall, where the roll call of those present was held.
Present were the incoming Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, and the outgoing Custos, Fr. Francesco Patton, along with the General Visitor, Fr. Alojzy Warot, and the General Vicar of the Order, Fr. Ignacio Ceja.
The official opening of the Chapter was marked by the proclamation of some fundamental texts of Franciscan spirituality: Chapter X of the Regula Bullata and the Testament of Saint Francis. After these readings, the General Visitor solemnly declared the Chapter open.
Afterward, a letter sent by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was read, in which the Holy Father expressed his closeness and his age-old support for the Custody of the Holy Land as a living presence of the Franciscan Order in the heart of the Middle East.
In the afternoon, the official communication of the appointments of the Custodial Vicar and the Discreets of the Holy Land took place. Fr. Ulises Zarza was appointed Custodial Vicar. The elected Discreets are: Fr. John Kwesi Bohma, Fr. Rodrigo Machado Soares, Fr. Raimondo Girgis, Fr. Zacheusz Drazek, and Fr. Piermarco Luciano.
Following their oath and the fraternal embrace in the hall, the first day of the Chapter concluded with the solemn celebration of Vespers.
Source: Custodia.com