For the promotion and dissemination of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass in the Archdiocese of Malta and the Diocese of Gozo, as endorsed by the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI (2007) and in the Instruction Universae Ecclesiae (2011). We adhere to the traditional Catholic motto: We are what you once were. We believe what you once believed. We worship as you once worshipped. If you were right then, we are right now. If we are wrong now, you were wrong then.
The late Fr Volpi (left) during an audience with Pope Francis
The Institute of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate announces with deep sorrow the death of the Apostolic Commissary Father Fidenzio Volpi OFM Cap, which occurred on Sunday, June 7, 2015.
Fr. Volpi’s death follows a period of ill health resulting from a stroke on April 29th.
He died peacefully in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he was lovingly assisted by medical personnel, relatives and confreres.
In this time of great sadness, our Institute joins in the sorrow of the Capuchin Order and the entireFranciscan Family; in that of the Italian Conference of Major Superiors, which was led by Father Volpi for over twenty years; and, of course, with that of his earthly family.
On the day when the Church celebrated Corpus Domini, Fr. Volpi passed to the Father’s House. Like the grain of wheat that dies in the ground, we are sure that his sacrifice will bring a plentiful harvest of spiritual fruit.
Confreres and the faithful can pay their last respects to the Apostolic Commissioner at his funeral on Wednesday, June 10, at 10 am, at the Basilica of San Lorenzo al Verano in Rome.
Father Alfonso M. Bruno
General Secretary
Rome, June 8, 2015
Pro Tridentina (Malta) comment: Fr Volpi
had been selected by Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz to oversee the
Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate after Pope Francis decided to to insist on the
use of the Novus Ordo in that religious community because of internal
dissension, and not because of any negative judgment on the traditional liturgy. Volpi’s leadership resulted alas in the virtual destruction of the order (see Official Note from FFI).
The death of Fr Volpi, (remember him in your prayers) might have an effect on the Tridentine Mass in Malta. As a matter of fact, former Pro Tridentina (Malta) President, Mr Godwin Xuereb, had initiated talks with the FFI and discussions were ongoing. These discussions came to an end following developments in the FFI.
