During the week of October 13-17, the brothers of the Province of St. Francis of Assisi in Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul – RS) celebrated their provincial chapter and elected the new provincial government.
The capitular assembly was held at the Franciscan Convent of St. Bonaventure (Imigrante/RS) and was chaired by Br. Wanderley Carvalho do Couto, OFM, of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (Goiás - GO), appointed Visitator General for the province by the General Definitorium of the Order of Friars Minor.
For the six-year period of 2026-2031, Br. Olávio José Dotto, OFM, was elected Minister Provincial and Br. Marino Pedro Rhoden, OFM, as Vicar Provincial. For the three-year period of 2026-2028, the brothers elected as Provincial Definitors were: Br. Pedro Geremias Bruxel, OFM, Br. Cláudio André Lottermann, OFM, Br. Franklin Francisco Silva de Freitas, OFM, and Br. Patrício Ceretta, OFM.
Inspired by the theme “The Province of St. Francis of Assisi Downsizing” and by the motto “As Friars Minor, with all creatures, pilgrims of hope”, the brothers, during the week, reviewed and evaluated different area of the Franciscan charism: formation, vocations, ecology, care of the poorest, sustainability, presence in parishes and missionary front, social works.
There was a moment of meeting and dialogue with lay representatives of the presences in which the brothers operate in Rio Grande do Sul and of the OFS, who shared impressions on the life of the friars and ideas to improve their collaborative work in the evangelization of communities.
During the chapter, the joy of the jubilee of religious consecration and of priesthood of some of the brothers was also celebrated, renewing their commitment and their gaze towards the horizon of God.
