Chile, First National Meeting of Young Franciscans

Under the motto "Brothers, because we are one in Him", about 150 young people from 13 Franciscan presences of the Holy Trinity Province of Chile participated in the first National Meeting of Franciscan Youth, ENJOF 2026, held between Tuesday, the 20th January and Sunday, the 25th January in the parish of the Apostle St James of Castro.

For six days of profound spiritual and fraternal experience, ENJOF 2026 was transformed into a space for communion, reflection and renewal of youth faith, marked by the common desire to reencounter God and strengthen the evangelising commitment in their communities of origin.

Mariana Duarte, from the Church of St Francis of Cerro Barón in Valparaíso, said that, although she had participated in other youth instances, this first edition of ENJOF 2026 was enriching and very different. "It was exciting to meet many young people who share Franciscan spirituality, allowing a deep union between different presences and allowing us to get to know each other, share fraternal love, create bonds between brothers and sisters and live the Gospel in a unique way."

Meanwhile, Lizette Sepúlveda Cerda, from the St Francis of Jesús Franciscan Youth House in Santiago, highlighted ENJOF's various initiatives to reach Castro. "Since December, we have been preparing ourselves through worksheets prepared by the organising team, which guided us through prayers, Bible readings and reflections. This time of preparation was fundamental, since it allowed us to dispose ourselves interiorly, enter an atmosphere of prayer and open our hearts to let ourselves be found by God," he explained.

One of the most significant and emotional moments was the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, an instance that allowed the young people to live an intimate and profound encounter with God in silence, song, and fervent prayer. In that space, many young people offered their hearts, their fears, desires, and life projects, generating a climate of recollection and sincerity that marked the spiritual development of the meeting and strengthened the fraternal bonds between the participants.

The experience also included a pilgrimage to the Island of Chelín, where young people contemplated creation inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures of St. Francis of Assisi, integrating faith, nature, and spirituality, reinforcing the call to live an incarnate faith committed to the care of our Common Home.

For Br José Manuel Hernández, OFM, spiritual advisor to ENJOF, the youth event marked a significant milestone. Two years have passed since that dream, and the moment could be realised. "The participation of the young people and friars was very active, and there was a lot of fraternal interaction on the day. I thank the Franciscan youth ministry of Castro, especially the organising team, for their commitment, enthusiasm, and heart in all the preparation, and for taking the initiative and taking risks in this ENJOF project. I hope that this meeting will bear abundant fruit in all the presences that participated and that it will not remain just a milestone," he said.

Pedro Gallardo, general coordinator of the First National Meeting of Young Franciscans OFM of Chile, reflects on the gratitude and emotion of everything experienced in Chiloé. "It was a true sign of hope for our Province. Seeing more than 170 young pilgrims arrive from different corners of the country was an immense joy. Young people who walked, crossed seas and distances, but above all who arrived with their hearts ready to meet Christ, with their brothers and with the Franciscan charism."

Finally, it was announced that the next ENJOF will be held in 2028 in the city of Angol, giving continuity to this path of encounter, mission and youth fraternity in the Chilean Church.

Romina Jiménez, Confirmation catechist of the parish of San Buenaventura de Angol, takes with great responsibility and a great challenge to be the hosts in 2028, "especially for our young people, since it will be hard work at the level of organization and management, but also to enhance the gifts and capacities that each young person has, so that from there we can all together,  as a large community of San Buenaventura to achieve the success of ENJOF 2028".