From January 30 to February 7, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General, and Br. César Külkamp, General Definitor for Latin America, made a fraternal visit to the Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Conception of Brazil, which covers five states in the South American country. The priority of the visit was to meet all the brothers, with moments of dialogue on the reality of the Province, its strengths and difficulties, and on the major themes chosen for the whole Order, including synodality, identity of the friars minor and restructuring.
The visit began in Petropolis, where the visiting friars, accompanied by the Minister Provincial, Br Paulo Roberto Pereira, met the friars studying theology, the solemnly and temporarily professed, including those of the Custody of the Seven Joys of Our Lady. Then it was the turn of all the friars of the nine fraternities of the State of Rio de Janeiro.
In Petropolis, the Minister General had the opportunity to stop and pray at the tomb of Br Constantine Koser, a friar of the Province of the Immaculate Conception and Minister General from 1967 to 1979. He led the Order in the post-conciliar period and the renewal of the General Constitutions, which had been profoundly rethought. He was also the creator of "Fraternitas", the Order's bulletin designed to "bring together" all the friars of the world.
The following day, Br Massimo and Br César travelled to the state of Espirito Santo, where they met the friars of the charming Penha friary (founded in the 16th century) and those of the parishes of Our Lady of the Rosary and St Clare.
The friars then moved to southern Brazil, with a visit to the friars of the Region of Curitiba in the Fraternity of Rondinha. Br. Massimo wanted to highlight the importance of fraternity: “Fraternity is the most commonly spoken word among us [friars]; we are brothers because we understand each other as children of the same Father. [...] However, we must understand that fraternity is the real concrete brother!”, he said in his speech, encouraging his fellow friars to read the signs of the times, to be missionaries, to be among brothers and with the people.
Br. César spoke to the friars about the Centenaries that the Order will celebrate until 2026: each friar received a booklet containing the Rule of the Order stamped and a Tau, blessed in the Porziuncola church in Assisi.
Subsequently the visitors stopped at the Franciscan novitiate of Rodeio, in Santa Caterina. In the meeting with all the friars of the area, the Minister General underlined the challenges that the region poses, recalling the importance of the Franciscan charism, ongoing formation, evangelization and mission in the spirit of minority: all necessary tools to face difficulties.
The last few days saw Br. Massimo, Br. César and Br. Paulo return to the state of São Paulo: here they met the friars of the eleven Fraternities that make up the Region of São Paulo, called to face various challenges, including the increase of the homeless population, interreligious dialogue and evangelization beyond the pastoral modality. Friar César mentioned the aid "Ite, nuntiate...", presented by the Order to revitalize the Franciscan presence in today's world.
The visit continued to the Poor Clares of the Mater Christi Monastery, in Guaratinguetá, which is located within the Fazenda da Esperança, a work born from the participation of a friar from the Province, which has the mission of welcoming young people who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction. Afterwards they visited the Postulancy, in the same city, where they were welcomed by the 17 young postulants. Finally they went to the city of Bragança Paulista, where the Fraternity of assistance to elderly or sick brothers and sisters is based.
The Minister General expressed his welcome amazement at the many evangelization initiatives, at their creativity and openness to the participation of the laity, at their willingness to embark on a journey that is increasingly enlightened by the Franciscan charism and the priorities of the Order.
The journey of the Minister and Definitor General continues in Colombia, in the Provinces of Santa Fe and San Pablo.
Special thanks to the friars and the Communication Staff of the Province of the Immaculate Conception for the photos and content received.
More information on the Province website.
