On Wednesday evening, October 2, Br Massimo Fusarelli arrived in Canindé, Brazil, for a fraternal visit of the local Franciscan fraternity and to celebrate the feast of Saint Francis. The Minister General had announced at the end of last year that he hoped to visit this beautiful place during their time of elaborate Franciscan celebrations.
Thursday morning Br Massimo celebrated Eucharist for the Poor Clare Sisters and then sipped coffee with them as they discussed their challenges and their hopes with regard to living out the charism of Saint Clare today. His second gathering that morning took place at Saint Anthony’s Friary where the novices were excited about the feast of Saint Francis and were happy to share stories and listen to words of encouragement from the Minister.
In the afternoon, Br Massimo, along with Br César Kulkamp and Br Rogério Lopes, Definator General and Minister Provincial of Saint Anthony of Padua Province, respectively, took part in a radio broadcast entitled “Franciscan Pope,” on the Friary’s Web Radio. Br Robert Alves, host of the show, led them through a spirited discussion which tapped into the great wisdom of his three guests. Then Br Rogério asked some more pointed questions to Br Massimo, the “successor of Saint Francis,” who spoke eloquently about the differences between Assisi and Canindé and the unique role that the people of each place have to respond to the witness offered by the Holy Father.
When asked what teaching he would highlight during our 8th centenary celebrations, Br Massimo encouraged his audience to take inspiration from Francis’ encounter with lepers, that we too should truly encounter and welcome God’s hurting little ones. "We must welcome and care for the poor,” he said, “since in Sacred Scripture we hear again and again about God’s special tender love towards the poor. That is our motivation. Christians who have no relationship with the poor have a serious faith problem. And Franciscans without such relationships have it even worse!”
Speaking about the way the pilgrims carry themselves to these holy places, sharing their homemade food, sleeping in hammocks, and adding a strip of maroon cloth to their simple Franciscan clothing, the Minister said, “All that I see here touches me deeply. There is certainly a profound faith in the people coming here. I’ve seen the faithful lying prostrate on the basilica floor which is something you do not see anymore in Europe. People praying aloud and unashamed remind me of Francis himself, who I’m sure is very pleased with all that is happening here.”
The Minister General ended his visit celebrating the Transitus with thousands of pilgrims in the Praça dos Romeiros square. Br Massimo began his homily apologizing for his poor limited Portuguese but then affirming all those who come to Canindé “as pilgrims, each with a unique history and unique wounds, but commonly believing that the Lord walks with and among His people.”
During his reflection, in which he had the rapt attention of the faithful, Br Massimo remembered the various hurts and hardships of the people in northeast Brazil. He asked that we invoke Saint Francis in our prayers for them, “that their pains may open them up to new life, just as the Lord desires for us all.” At the conclusion of the Transitus, Br Massimo Fusarelli gave the friars of the sanctuary at Canindé a chasuble and a medal commemorating the 800 years since the gift of the Sacred Stigmata was given to Saint Francis. On October 4, the Minister concelebrated a Mass with 9 other concelebrants, presided over by Archbishop Gregório Paixão from the Archdiocese of Fortaleza.
Br Roberto Alves, OFM
Photos: Caio Renan and Jander Silva
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