The Solemnity of St. Francis was lived in a particular way in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a context of war and conflict in Eastern Congo, the feast was celebrated in Goma and in other parts of the territory of the new Province of St. Anthony of Padua as a moment of grace: the joy was immense for all the friars of the nascent Province, canonically erected on the 30th July, 2025 by Br. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor.
In Goma, Francis' sons and daughters celebrated this Solemnity at the Provincial Curia. The 4th October was preceded by the Triduum during which the friars of all the fraternities of the Province meditated on the Canticle of the Creatures, whose Eighth Centenary we are celebrating. The Mass was presided over by the Vicar Provincial, Br. Michael Muhindo Kyamakya and concelebrated by Fr. Evariste, SDB, President of the Conference of Major Superiors (COSUMA) of Goma, Br. Gabriel Mushagalusa, Br. Jean-Baptiste Kashaba, Br. Patrice Bahati, Br. Isaac Mulumeoderhwa and Br. Félicien Mumbere.
In his homily, Br. Michael invited the entire Franciscan Family to live the values of St Francis, such as minority, humility, service to the poorest, especially in this country characterized by violence of all kinds, where the poor, marginalized and needy have increased due to the ongoing war in the territory of the new Province. Before the solemn blessing, the assembly listened to the reading of the letter of the Minister General and that of the Minister Provincial on the occasion of the Solemnity of our Seraphic Father St. Francis. The two messages encouraged Francis' followers to persevere in their mission of serving the poor and to "begin."
The Minister Provincial, Br. Jean-Baptiste Tabaro Murhega, wanted to celebrate this Solemnity with the Poor Clare Sisters of Uvira: it was since 1986 that the Franciscan Family and the Poor Clares of that place had not celebrated the Solemnity with the friars. For this reason, the joy was immense, according to the account of Br. Jean-Baptiste, who spoke of the "Easter" that was experienced on the occasion.
In Bukavu, Burhinyi, Kamanyola, Butembo (in Ngengere and Kimbulu), the whole Franciscan Family celebrated in serenity the feast of our Seraphic Father St. Francis. Several brothers and sisters of the Third Order made their profession by making the commitment to live the values of the poor man of Assisi.
Finally, the Minister and the Provincial Government thanked the friars of all the fraternities and the brothers and sisters of the entire Franciscan Family for their collaboration in organising the Solemnity of St. Francis, a special moment for the newborn Province.
Br. Michael Muhindo Kyamakya, OFM
Vicar Provincial
