JPIC Course 2026

From the 18th to 24th May 2026, the General Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) of the Order of Friars Minor, in collaboration with the Pontifical Università Antonianum (PUA) in Rome, held the JPIC Annual International Course. The proposal was designed in a particular way for those who are beginning the JPIC animation service in the Order and in the Franciscan Family, and was also offered to lay people and young people who wished to strengthen an evangelical commitment to justice, peace and care for their Common Home. 

The Course was located in the commemorative framework of the last two centenaries celebrated by the Order: that of the Canticle of the Creatures and that of the Transit of St Francis of Assisi. From this perspective, the theme "From the Canticle of the Creatures to the Easter of St. Francis of Assisi" offered a current reading of the challenges of our time in the light of the Gospel and Franciscan spirituality. 

In the letter of invitation, the Minister General recalled that these centenaries gave rise to numerous reflections that today are part of social life and mission, and invited to live the Course as an opportunity to consolidate a formative and pastoral journey that promotes a more incisive Franciscan presence in concrete realities. 

Throughout the week, the programme combined theoretical contributions and practical exercises, offering criteria for analysis and tools for action around socio-environmental justice and peace. In line with the guidelines approved by the last International JPIC Council (Assisi, 2025), the formation itinerary was developed around three priorities: the search for justice for migrants and refugees, the promotion of peace in a world wounded by violence, and the commitment to put an end to the destruction of creation. 

The structure of the Course was organized in four complementary moments: an updated look at the global and local challenges linked to human mobility, armed conflicts and the socio-environmental crisis; a key to philosophical, theological and Franciscan interpretation of the Easter of Jesus and the passage of St. Francis, as the foundation of an integral Christian commitment; the presentation of concrete and hopeful experiences of fraternities already working in these areas in different regions of the world; and, finally, daily spaces for participatory planning, in a synodal key, aimed at generating processes of change and advocacy from JPIC animation. 

According to the programme, the first day, Monday, the 18th May, included a greeting by Prof. Giuseppe Buffon, OFM, and an introduction to the planning methodology, offered by Miguel Angel Jaimes. Migrants and refugees were also addressed, with Ilaria Scenti; current wars and conflicts, with Nicolas Paz and Pax Christi International; and the ecological crisis, with the screening of the documentary "La Carta".

On Tuesday, the 19th of May, "Sister Death" in Philosophy was deepened, with Br. Andrea Bizzozero, OFM; on the death and Resurrection in the Old Testament, with Br. Gonzalo Collipal, OFM; and an experience of working for peace in the Holy Land was shared by Br. Carlos Eduardo Gabriel Molina Nicoli, OFM. The day concluded with a reflection on the profile of the Franciscan animator JPIC, by Br. Daniel R. Blanco, OFM. 

On Wednesday, the 20th May, the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus were discussed by Br. Elton Viagedor, OFM, as well as a testimony of welcoming migrants and refugees, presented by Sr. Miriam Oyarzo, FMSC, and a formative space on leading change in JPIC animation, guided by Miguel Ángel Jaimes. 

On Thursday, the 21st May, the theme united the Canticle of the Creatures and the Easter of St. Francis. The restitution, by Br. Cesare Vaiani, OFM, and the reflection "Praise be to you, my Lord, for our Sister Death", offered by Br. Giuseppe Buffon, OFM. An experience on integral ecology was also shared, by Br. Antonino Clemenza, OFM, and a new module on leading change in JPIC animation, by Miguel Angel Jaimes. 

On Friday, the 22nd May, JPIC was presented as an evangelizing task of the Ratio Evangelizationis, by Br. Francisco Gómez Vargas, OFM, and JPIC animation in Franciscan spirituality was deepened, by Br. Taucen Girsang. In the afternoon, elements on the colonial-decolonial project were offered, presented by Dr. Juan Alfredo Bianco, and a JPIC impact model, by Miguel Angel Jaimes. 

On Saturday, May 23, Miguel Angel Jaimes led the work on strategies for an animation project in Franciscan entities; The week ended with the evaluation and closure. 

The planned activities also included a visit to Assisi, with a visit to the Portiuncola and the tomb of St. Francis, particularly significant places in the context of the centenary.