From the 22nd to 26th January 2025, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General, and Br. Cesare Vaiani, Definitor General, made a fraternal visit to the Province of the Holy Martyrs of Morocco in Portugal, deepening the dialogue with local communities and reflecting on future challenges and prospects.
On the first evening, a moment of prayer was centered on the Canticle of the Creatures to remember the late Minister Provincial, Br. Fernando Mota. Several faithful, nuns and friends were present, in addition to the friars. The meeting with the friars of the Infirmary was also very rich and touching.
A cultural evening around the Canticle also saw a lively dialogue between the Minister and above all the young people of the Province.
Meeting with the Friars in Leiria
The heart of the visit was the meeting with a large group of friars in the fraternity of Leiria, where the progress of the Province and the priorities in view of the next Provincial Chapter were discussed. Reflections emerged on fraternal life, mission and strategies for renewing evangelical commitment in an evolving social context.
In the same fraternity there was a very lively meeting with the aspirants and the current postulant of the Province, which needs to renew its youth ministry and vocation proposal. A silent and prayerful visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima made it possible to bring there many intentions of the life of the Order.
Dialogue with the Poor Clares and Conceptionists at Fatima
A particularly intense moment was the meeting in Fatima with representatives of the communities of the Poor Clares and Conceptionists of Portugal. Through sharing, the charism of St. Clare and St. Beatrice da Silva was deepened, emphasizing the importance of mutual listening and dialogue as the foundation of consecrated life in synodal style.
Discussion with the Secular Franciscan Order and Celebrations in Lisbon
In Lisbon, Br. Massimo and Br. Cesare met with several members of the Secular Franciscan Order in the Lisbon area, highlighting the communion in the charism and the role of the laity in spreading the Gospel. The visit to the birthplace of St. Anthony and the Eucharistic celebration strengthened the ties with popular spirituality. The OFS in the country also manages and animates a series of social works for health, the elderly and children.
Further significant moments were at the Masses presided over in Leiria, at the monastery of the Poor Clares of Lisbon, in the fraternity of Lisbon and in the parish of Our Lady of Luz, opportunities to meet dynamic and committed ecclesial realities.
A Rooted and Fruitful Franciscanism
The visit highlighted the 800 years of Franciscan presence in Portugal, characterized by a vibrant missionary and cultural tradition. Despite contemporary challenges, the Order continues to be a pillar in the Church and in Portuguese society, witnessing to a faith capable of dialoguing with the present.
This experience has reinvigorated communion between the General Government and the Province, offering hope and guidance for the future, as we await the Provincial Chapter that will outline new stages of the journey.
