Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Santa María de Guadalupe, which brings together the Provinces of Mexico, Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, was held at the Franciscan House of “Peace and Goodwill” Paz y Bien in Tijuana.

The participation of the Provincial Ministers of the United States and Canada gave a special character to this meeting. Although these Provinces are geographically neighbours, they belong to the English Language Conference (ESC), and their presence in the Assembly of Guadeloupe was experienced as a historical event that opens new paths of communion and collaboration. Together with them, the General Definitors Br. Jimmy Zammit and Br. Joaquín Echeverry accompanied with closeness and fraternity, enriching the dialogue and offering guidance for the future of the Order.

A meeting to get to know each other and encourage each other

The main objective was to foster a fraternal approach to learn about the realities of each Province, share the challenges they face and discover together the signs of hope that strengthen Franciscan life.
During the conference, various aspects of life and mission were reflected upon:

• The life of the fraternities: the importance of supporting each other and of living with joy the vocation of Friars Minor was emphasised.
• The evangelizing mission: experiences were shared in parishes, schools and social works, highlighting the service to the poorest and the closeness to the communities.
• The formation of the friars: the accompaniment of those who begin Franciscan life and the commitment to support the ongoing formation of all the friars were valued.
• Care for vocations: the need to welcome young people with openness and fraternity was highlighted, recognising their personal and family histories.
• Justice, Peace and Care for Creation (JPIC): the commitment to social causes and the importance of strengthening initiatives such as the Franciscan Network for Migrants (RFM), which accompanies those who are forced to leave their homes in search of a dignified future, were reflected.
• The missionary presence in other countries: the project in Liébana, Spain, was shared with hope as a sign of openness and interprovincial collaboration.

A climate of hope and communion

Each intervention was an opportunity to listen and learn from the different realities, discovering that, although the contexts are different, the mission is common: to proclaim the Gospel with simplicity and to live fraternity as a witness of hope. The Assembly was experienced as a true space of communion, where the friars encouraged each other and renewed their commitment to walk together.
The meeting concluded with a concluding Mass at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, presided over by the President of the Conference, Br. Gabriel Romero. The celebration, open to the People of God, was a sign of gratitude and trust in the Lord, who guides the steps of the Conference and of each Province.

With renewed hope, the friars returned to their mission places convinced that fraternity and interprovincial collaboration are ways of life and future for the Order in our region.