Chapter of Mats 2024, Holy Faith Province, Colombia

From May 27 to 31 of this year, the Chapter of the Mats was successfully held at the San Bernardino de Siena formation house in Bogotá. This event, convened by the Franciscan Province of Holy Faith in Colombia, aimed to engage in reflection guided by the Order of Friars Minor as an opportunity to renew spirituality and the essence and mission of the Franciscan world.
Members of the Franciscan family attended the event, including religious from the First Order, nuns from the Second Order, religious followers of the spirituality of Saint Francis, and committed laypeople. The main objective was to explore new perspectives to revitalize the option of being brothers at the service of a synodal Church in outreach.

During the reflection itinerary, three essential thematic cores were addressed:

• Renewing our vision: What characteristics of the Charism must we embrace today?
• Walking by following a model: What is the prophetic model of fraternity in minority?
• Embracing the future: Whom and how do we serve?

From these discussions emerged the imperative conclusion to renew the Franciscan charism to remain relevant in a society demanding understanding and support amid complex situations caused by disenchantment and individualism.
Additionally, the celebratory framework of the Chapter was illuminated with a reflection on the stigmatization of Saint Francis, understood as a path to comprehend his experience and call. 
After five days of deep reflection and fraternal sharing, the Franciscan family in Colombia returned to their places of evangelization, committed to being renewed by the strength of the Holy Spirit and the vigor of the Franciscan Charism.

Br Jorge Luis Torregroza, OFM
Holy Faith Province