Happy news! The choice of our new Provincial has been announced!

Dear friends in the Lord,

After having considered all the information, Fr General, has appointed Fr. Gianfranco Matarazzo SJ as Provincial of the new Euro-Mediterranean Province. [The new Province will comprise Italy, Malta and Albania.]

Fr. Gianfranco Matarazzo has accepted the new assignment with generous availability. He writes:

“In these years, with Patrick Magro, Provincial of Malta, we walked together to create the conditions so that the two provinces could merge into a new reality. From the very beginning, we have tried to involve everyone in this process, Jesuits and lay people. There have been difficulties, but I am very happy for the response we received.

In the zonal meetings we held recently in different places, I felt a strong desire for renewal, especially interior one: it is a sign that we are alive and full of energy to revitalize our mission.

We are at a new beginning. The new Province has different languages, cultures and traditions. It will not be easy to hold it all together, but we will do our utmost to bring about a unity of spirits that will not jar with local contexts.

In this journey the Lord was always close to us. I pray that he will continue to accompany us so that we will not miss his consolation.”

We are awaiting confirmation from the General Curia for the date in which we celebrate the birth of the new Province. As soon as it is received it will be communicated to you. May the good Lord grant us his consolation as we embark upon this transition.

Biography Fr. Gianfranco Matarazzo SJ

Fr. Gianfranco Matarazzo was born on 16th September, 1963 in Teano (Caserta).

After a Law degree from the University of Naples, majoring in Administrative Law and Science of the Administration and Forensic Qualification, he joined the Society on 2ng December, 1993.entered the novitiate of Genoa.

Between 1995 to 1997 he studied philosophy in Padua. Then he had two years of teaching in Grottaglie. From 1999 to 2002 he studied theology at Naples and later at the Gregorian University in Rome and obtained a Licentiate in Moral theology.

On 10 May 2003 he was ordained a priest.

His first apostolic mission was at Arrupe Centre at Palermo where he was the Secretary of the Institute, a tutor for students and has taught ethical and legal subjects. The following year he became treasurer of the Institute and editor of “Social Updates”.

In 2006-07 he made the Third Probation in Weston in the United States. He made his Solemn Profession on 8th December, 2009.

Once again he was sent to Arrupe Centre in Palermo where he was the Co-prdinator of studies, the professor of public ethics and law in the Institute.

In 2009 he directed the “School for Social Assistants F. Stagno D’Alcontres” in Modica.

In 2010, he was appointed Director of the Arrupe Palermo, Delegate for the Social Apostolate and Delegate for the abuses in the Italian Province.

From 2010 to 2012 he was Consultant of the President of the Conference of European Provincials. On 31st July, 2014 he took over as Provincial of Italy and was appointed as Fr General’s Delegate for “La Civilta Cattolica.”