As part of the initiatives promoted for the eighth centenary of the Transitus of Saint Francis, a particularly important role in the Campania region is played by the Convent-Parish of Sant'Antonio di Padova in Mercato San Severino, led by the Friars Minor. Here, starting March 2nd and continuing until June, concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events will take the community on an intense spiritual and artistic journey dedicated to the figure of the Saint of Assisi.
In this calendar full of events, the evening of the stands out 13 March, at 20.00 pm, dedicated to Father Enzo Fortunato and his book “What if Saint Francis returned?”, published by Edizioni San Paolo in October 2025. The volume was born from a deliberately provocative question, designed to interrogate our time: what would be the impact of the Saint of Assisi today in a world crossed by increasingly widespread and painful conflicts?
"Saint Francis would be able to respond as the man of peace he was, inviting us once again to be instruments of peace," the author stated in an interview. This reflection makes the book particularly timely and will offer the community a valuable opportunity for dialogue and reflection.
Father Enzo Fortunato, a charismatic Franciscan and one of the most authoritative voices in disseminating the thought of the Saint of Assisi, enriches the festival with his presence at the events at the Mercato San Severino convent, offering the public a profound reflection on the central theme of the celebrations. A theologian, journalist, and tireless communicator, Father Enzo combines expertise, creativity, and a rare ability to bring the Franciscan message to life.
His work as a popularizer makes him a constant presence in the media landscape: he is a frequent host or guest on television and radio programs dedicated to spirituality, culture, and the paths of the soul. His most famous television slot is the program “On the Way” on Rai 3, offered in various versions – between art and faith, on the paths of the soul, and specials dedicated to significant moments of the liturgical year.
The commitment he has shown over the years, together with his dedication and tenacity, have not gone unnoticed by Pope Francis, who wanted him in Rome, entrusting him with the role of Director of Communications of St. Peter's Basilica and coordinator of World Children's DayA service that Father Enzo defined as "a beautiful thing but also delicate; extremely delicate and extraordinary."
Alongside these roles, Father Enzo Fortunato is also director of the magazine Piazza San Pietro, the official magazine of the Papal Basilica, where it curates editorials and in-depth articles on the life of the Church, social and cultural issues, spirituality, and current events. This commitment confirms its ability to combine communication, faith, and pastoral vision.
The calendar prepared by the Friars Minor fully expresses the intention of arousing renewed interest in the figure of the Saint of Assisi, through a series of initiatives of great spiritual and cultural value. Among these, the following stands out: peregrinatio of the relic of Saint Francis, a fragment of the cord with which the Patron Saint of Italy tied his habit. A sacred object that, through its journey through communities, becomes the symbolic thread uniting the region in a time that calls for brotherhood and hope.
Below are the next stops on the relic's pilgrimage, which will continue to visit local communities until March 29:
- Thursday 12 March – Pastoral Unit of Piano di Montoro – Children – San Bartolomeo, Parish of San Giovanni Battista and San Nicola da Tolentino
- Saturday March 14 – Torchiati di Montoro, Parish of SS. Salvatore and San Martino
- Sunday March 15 – Sarno, Convent of San Francesco (morning) – Siano, Parish of Santa Maria delle Grazie (afternoon)
- Wednesday March 18 – Castel San Giorgio, Parish of Santa Maria delle Grazie
In addition to the pilgrimage and the important meeting with Father Enzo Fortunato, who offered an enlightened perspective on the figure of Saint Francis, the Friars Minor of the Mercato San Severino convent have chosen to broaden their perspective and nourish the community with a series of cultural events, further opportunities for encounter and reflection.
Art performance by Salino Matta (May 16) – Music and painting intertwine, giving life to a show with a strong emotional charge.
June Meditation Concert
Exhibition "Saint Francis: a Face, a Story"
An intense period dedicated to Saint Francis, which we invite you to follow to rediscover that sense of peace, brotherhood and mutual care, which is the living heart of Franciscan spirituality.
The convent's initiative is interesting, but the description is too formal; it reads like an official announcement, not something for ordinary people. Isn't the community ready? Perhaps they should organize simpler events, with workshops for young people, and explain St. Francis in terms everyone can understand; the organizers, however, don't seem to understand it well.