The brothers of the Holy Cross Province of Brazil met in provincial chapter from October 14 to 21, 2024, at the Santo Antônio Seraphic Seminary, at Santos Dumont, in the state of Minas Geiras. This chapter had as its theme: “Vocation, Witness, Welcome and Accompaniment of the Friar Minor in the face of social-ecclesial challenges”, and as its motto: “I give you, my people, to build, to destroy and to plant” (Jer 1:10).
There were 60 friar capitulars present, in addition to the temporary professed and friar bishops, who insisted on participating: Bishop Hugo Maria Van Steekelenburg, OFM (emeritus of Almenara, MG) and Archbishop Dario Campos (Vitória, ES).
The reports of the Visitator General, Br Gustavo Wayand Medella (Province of the Immaculate Conception, Brazil) and of the outgoing Minister Provincial, Br Hilton Farias de Souza, were read. Then the three provincial secretariats (Formation and Studies, Missions and Evangelization, and Administration) also presented their reports.
After fruitful reflections in the groups and in the plenary sessions, the following lines of priority were chosen: 1) restructuring the process of formation; 2) qualifying fraternal life; 3) revitalizing the evangelizing mission; 4) reaffirming the commitment for minority and the values of justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
In this chapter the election of the new Minister Provincial took place, Br Vicente Paulo do Nascimento (53). Br Vicente Paulo is the first lay brother of the Order to assume the service of provincial minister in Brazil. He is also a pioneer of the Conference of Friars Minor of Brazil and the Southern Cone, which covers Argentina, Chile and Paraguay.
Elected to the Definitorium were: Br Alessandro Rufino da Silva, Br José Aguinaldo Querobino, Br Carlos Alexandre da Silva Lima, Br Laércio Jorge de Oliveira.
At the conclusion of the chapter a final message was prepared, in which one reads: “The socio-ecclesial challenges push us to bear prophetic witness before the Church and society. As the Province of the Holy Cross, we are committed to the cause of the little ones of our times, in serious questions related to integral ecology and against every form of racism that exists in our society, reaffirming our position against the culture of hatred and division. The current economic model excludes our brothers and sisters from having a life of abundance (John 10:10). In view of this, we want to place ourselves more and more at the service of the least of our time, following Mary’s mandate to do everything he tells us, to alleviate their dramas and to obtain victory.”
Márcia Gomes Mafia Mendes
