From the 11th to 16th August, 2025, the friars of the Province of St. Benedict the African gathered at the St. John XXIII Scholasticate in Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo, to celebrate their Provincial Chapter. This important event in Franciscan life took place just eleven days after the erection of the Province of St. Anthony of Padua in the east of the country, marking a new dynamic within the Order.
The Chapter was solemnly inaugurated on the 11th August, the Feast of St. Clare of Assisi, with a Eucharist presided over by Br. Nicodème Kolani, General Visitor and President of the Chapter. In his homily, he invited the chapter friars to recenter their lives on Christ, inspired by the spiritual abandonment of St. Clare.
The Chapter work began with a talk given by Br. Alexis Lawson on the theme: "Rediscovering our Franciscan identity in the face of changes in our society: missionary perspectives". This reflection highlighted the urgency of returning to the roots of Franciscanism in order to respond to contemporary challenges.
Subsequently, in an atmosphere of prayer and dialogue, on the 14th August, the capitular friars elected a new Provincial Government:
The Chapter expressed its gratitude to Br. José Nzau, outgoing Minister Provincial, and his Definitory, for their generous commitment to the service of the fraternity.
On Sunday, the 17th August, after the conclusion of the Chapter, the Province celebrated with great joy several significant events:
In beautiful harmony between religious and matrimonial vocation, the 30th Anniversary of marriage of Déodat Kapenda and Bernadette Nyembo was also celebrated.
The Provincial Chapter ended in an atmosphere of gratitude and fraternity. The friars returned to their fraternities renewed, as bearers of a new impetus to continue to live the Holy Gospel with boldness, simplicity and joy, in the manner of St. Francis of Assisi.
With the contribution of: Br. Luc Landu Nzita, OFM
