The Franciscan Foundation of the Immaculate Mother of God of Angola (FIMDA) celebrated 35 years of mission. The Franciscan presence in the country began on the 5th September 1990, when the first friars sent by the Province of the Immaculate Conception of Brazil arrived: Br. Plínio Gande da Silva, Br. José Zanchet and Br. Pedro Caron. They responded to the missionary call taken up at the 1988 Provincial Chapter, in line with the letter of the then Minister General, Br. John Vaughn, entitled "Africa Calls Us: A New Presence of Our Order in Africa."
Jubilee Celebration
On the morning of Thursday, the 25th September, the Foundation solemnly celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for the 35 years of walking at the Fraternity of Santo António in Quibala, Angola. The celebration was presided over by Br. Marco Antonio dos Santos, Master of Novices, and was attended by members of the Foundation Council, friars on mission, novices and faithful of the fraternities.
During the liturgy, the sending of the first friars was remembered with gratitude and the commitment to bear witness to evangelical simplicity at the service of the Angolan people was reaffirmed. In his reflection, Br. Ivair Bueno de Carvalho emphasized that celebrating this date "means recognizing that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Franciscan charism is renewed every day, pushing us to follow our Lord Jesus Christ with a witness of minority and fraternity."
Path to Maturity
Currently, FIMDA has about 90 Angolan friars affiliated to the Province of the Immaculate Conception, but already recognized as an Entity with its own identity and inculturated in the local context. The mission is carried out in seven fraternities distributed in three Angolan provinces and five cities. Among the 90 friars, 27 have already made their solemn profession in the Order (14 of them are priests). Another 51 are in the process of making their temporary profession, renewing their vows and completing their formation. The Foundation also supports nine novices in the introductory phase to Franciscan life.
In addition to the Angolans, three Brazilian friars continue to collaborate in the mission: Br. Ivair Bueno de Carvalho, president of the Foundation; Br. André Luiz da Rocha Henriques, parish priest of the parish of St. Luke in Palanca; and Br. Marco Antonio dos Santos, Master of Novices.
From Foundation to Dependent Custody
Next month, FIMDA will take a new step. The Chapter of the Foundation will be held from the 13th to 15th October at the Fraternity of St. Francis of Assisi in Palanca. On the 16th October, the Minister General, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, will officially establish the Custody dependent on the Province of the Immaculate Conception of Brazil. The first Custos and his Council will be appointed by the Minister General, with the mission of leading the transition and consolidating the new structure. It is hoped that, in time, the Custody will reach sufficient maturity to become a future Province of the Order of Friars Minor in Angola.
Difference Between Foundation and Custody
A Foundation is a group of fraternities linked to a Province, whose President is appointed by the Minister Provincial and acts as a facilitator of fraternal and missionary life, as well as a liaison with the Provincial Government. A dependent Custody, on the other hand, is an Entity in its own right, with an elected Custos and Council, which enjoys greater autonomy, while maintaining ties of dependence on the Province or the General Curia.
Hope and Mission
The celebration of the 35th anniversary is a sign of gratitude to God and to the Angolan people who welcomed the friars. The ongoing campaign for Franciscan Vocations and Missions, supported by benefactors from Brazil and Angola, continues to ensure the formation of new generations of friars and the strengthening of the mission.
The Order entrusts the continuity of this history to the intercession of Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, Patroness of Angola, and to the testimony of the Seraphic Father St. Francis of Assisi, so that the Franciscan charism can continue to flourish in the Angolan lands.
Br. Rodrigo da Silva Santos and the Friars in the Season of the Missionary Year
