From the 2nd to 4th February 2026, a series of meetings was held in Kolwezi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, involving the Fraternity of St. John XXIII, the Theological Institute and the University.
Since the three structures are dependent on the three Congolese Provinces of the Order, the meeting was attended by Br. George Misange, Minister of the Province of St. Benedict the African, Br. Jean-Baptiste Tabaro, Minister of the Province of St. Anthony of Padua, and Br. Benjamin Kabongo, Vicar of the Province of Our Lady of the Angels. In addition, Br. Siphelele Gwanisheni, Definitor General for Africa, and Br. Darko Tepert, Secretary General for Formation and Studies, also took part in all the meetings.
The guests met the Rector of the "John XXIII" University, which houses six different faculties, including the "St. John XXIII" Theological Institute, affiliated with the Pontifical University Antonianum. In addition, they had the opportunity to meet the formators of the Fraternity of Kolwezi, where there are currently 84 Franciscan students, temporarily professed and solemnly professed. It was a good opportunity to learn more about the training process, the challenges and opportunities, and to look together for possible solutions for the future.
The meeting with the Bursar of the house served to have clear information on the economic functioning and needs, while the one with the friars in initial formation, that is, the student friars housed in this house, was particularly interesting.
During these meetings, the Statutes of the Interprovincial Houses of the three Congolese Provinces were drawn up and the Statutes of the "John XXIII" University were started, for which a Commission will be established.
In the meeting with the formators and the Secretaries for Formation and Studies, the possibility of elaborating a Ratio Formationis and a Ratio Studiorum common to the three Provinces was discussed.
In addition to the Eucharistic celebrations, shared prayers and moments of fraternity, a very special moment was experienced on the 4th February, with the Inauguration of the Eighth Centenary of the Transitus of St. Francis, in the chapel of the Fraternity of Kolwezi, in communion with the brothers and sisters of the Franciscan Family.
