From the 29th October-1st November, 2025, the Federation of the Holy Family of the Poor Clares of Brazil held its Ordinary Assembly at the Monastery of the Most Holy Sacrament in the city of Canindé (Ceará – CE), home to the second largest sanctuary in the world dedicated to St Francis.
During these days, under the presidency of our Religious Assistant, Br. Fidêncio Vanboemmel, OFM, and with Br. Fábio César Gomes, OFM, General Assistant pro Monialibus, we reflected on the importance and meaning of the Federation for the Monasteries: “It is a group of autonomous monasteries, a model encouraged by the Church since the Second Vatican Council, to strengthen communion, solidarity, and sharing among the contemplative communities.”
Initially, Br. Fidêncio motivated us to reflect on the importance of the Federal Assembly, structured, organised, and governed by statutes that uniquely regulate the dynamics of the life of the 17 autonomous monasteries that currently make up our Federation, represented by 34 sisters, including the Mothers and Delegates from each Monastery. Br. Fábio, starting from the question that accompanied Saint Francis from the beginning to the end of his existence, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”, encouraged us to reflect on the same question in light of the moment we are experiencing as Federated Monasteries.
Furthermore, he shared with us what he summarised in four words that, coincidentally, all begin with the letter “C”: Contemplation, Charism, Communion, and Compassion. Strengthened and, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Minister General of our Order, we have arrived at the moment of the election of the new government of our Federation for the next six years, with the selection of Sister Isabela de Santa Maria dos Anjos, OSC (Mother of Providence Monastery, Cascavel/PR) as Mother President, and the following Councilors: Sister Francis Lara de Jesus Hostia, OSC (Monastery of Saint Clare of the Triune God, Brazlândia/DF), Sister Maria Karolyne de Jesus Crucificado, OSC (Saint Clare Monastery, Belo Horizonte/MG), Sister Maria Francisca, OSC (Saint Damian Monastery, Porto Alegre/RS) and Sister Maria Auxiliadora do Pai Eterno, OSC (Fraternity of Saint Francis of Assisi Monastery, Mossoró/RN).
To the praise of Christ!
Sr Isabela de Santa Maria dos Anjos, OSC
Federal President
