From the 24th-26th October 2025, in the city of Sucre, Bolivia, the Franciscan Family of Bolivia celebrated the Chapter of Mats, focused on the themes of the Eighth Centenary of the Canticle of the Creatures and the Jubilee Year. The proposed motto was: "With all creatures, pilgrims of hope".
We gathered with 167 brothers and sisters from the three Orders of the Franciscan Family, including the young people of the YouFra and the children of the NiFra (Franciscan Children), as well as some friends and collaborators invited by the various Franciscan communities of the country (OFS). Br. Walter Viviani, OFM, and Br. Carmelo Galdós, OFM, presented the Canticle of the Creatures on the 24th October; Br. Antonio Reyes, OFM Cap, shared the theme of the Jubilee Year on the morning of the 25th.
In the afternoon of the 25th, we celebrated the Pilgrimage starting from the Church of St. Anne on Mount Zion, of the Friars Minor (OFM), passing through the Monastery of St. Clare (OSC) and the Parish of St. Francis of the Conventual Friars Minor (OFM Conv), to arrive at the Cathedral, where we celebrated the Entrance through the Holy Door and the Eucharist.
At other times during the meeting, we shared the work carried out in Bolivia through the Franciscan Centre and the Franciscan Movement for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation.
The national Minister of the Secular Franciscan Order, Bernardo Rada, OFS, also offered some criteria and guidelines so that interested people, particularly those who share the Fourth Order, can enter and participate in the Franciscan charism. The morning and afternoon prayers, with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and reflection on the Canticle of the Creatures, allowed us to emphasise the importance of prayer for St. Francis and for us, placing the Most High, Almighty and Good Lord at the centre of our lives, and the value of daily Eucharist.
Before concluding the meeting on Sunday, the 26th October, we evaluated what had been celebrated and experienced, noting the positive and negative aspects, and offered suggestions for the next Chapter, which will be held in Cochabamba in 2026.
Br. Carmelo particularly thanked Br. Rodrigo for his constant collaboration and the entire team (Matilde and Moira from the YouFra of St Clare, Marieta OFS, the Poor Clare Sisters, Sister Silvia FHM and Sister Lucia) who began meeting in March to prepare and organise the committees for this Chapter of Mats. The concelebrated Mass and final lunch with gifts, hugs and greetings encourage us to continue being Pilgrims of Hope, guided by the Franciscan-Clarian charism.
Br. Carmelo Galdós, OFM
