FRATE FRANCESCO. – A Franciscan cultural review, founded in Assisi in 1924 as the official organ of the Religious Committee for the honours of St Francis of Assisi on the occasion of the seventh centenary of his death. The first literary director was Prof. Giovanni Joergensen, assisted by Fr Vittorio Facchinetti O.F.M. as editor and Canon Sigismondo Spagnoli in an artistic capacity.
From this review, which alternates scholarly investigations with pages of varied literature, appeals were launched to artists throughout Italy for competitions in painting and sculpture, for the commemorative centenary postage stamp, and for literary contests. In 1927 the direction passed to Arnaldo Fortini, mayor of Assisi; in 1928 the review was transferred to Milan, to the Franciscan cultural circle established by Fr Facchinetti, who directed it until 1936. The following year the periodical moved to Rome at the Franciscan Chair (Via Merulana 124), under the direction of Fr L. Di Stolfi O.F.M.
Liberato Di Stolfi