Twenty-nine friars participate in the Under Ten Meeting

From the 30th June to 2nd July 2025, the meeting of friars with up to 10 years of Solemn Profession, Under Ten, of the Province of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Brazil took place in the historic Convent of St. Francis, located in the center of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Twenty-nine friars, from all the states of the provincial territory and also from Angola, participated in this important moment of revision of the life and ongoing formation of being a Friar Minor. 

On the evening of Monday, the 30th June, the friars were welcomed in a moment of prayer led by the Moderator of Ongoing Formation, Br. Rodrigo da Silva Santos, the Vicar of the local Fraternity, Br. Edvaldo Batista Soares, and the Animator of Formation for Holy Orders, Br. Ivo Müller. 

On Tuesday, the 1st July, the Minister Provincial, Br. Paulo Roberto Pereira, presided over the Eucharistic Celebration. He expressed his joy at the presence of the friars in this symbolic space: 

"In the 350 years of our Province, we gather in this historic place to remember the encounter between past and future. Our Province, in all ages, has been built up by young and experienced friars who, together, have traveled paths of courage and hope, seeking to respond faithfully to the challenges of every time. This is why we are gathered here". 

Also in the same morning, the friars participated in a formation held by Wellington Heleno da Silva, a specialist in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The theme was: "A look at oneself: becoming autonomous". Wellington addressed the potentialities, favours and desires typical of the first years after Solemn Profession, as well as the dangers and risks of this period. Reflecting on the human and psychic dimension, he emphasized the importance of the personal process of maturation of each friar in self-care. The identity of the Friar Minor is formed in the concrete experience of the fraternities and in the various services rendered to the Province. 

In the afternoon, Br. Rodrigo da Silva Santos presented a reflection on "Identity and belonging of the religious" within the Order of Friars Minor. He highlighted that identification with the Franciscan vocation is a continuous and demanding journey, but which, if well lived, leads to fullness and fulfillment. 

"The Order seeks to recognize in each friar the actualization of his charism, and the friar, in turn, seeks to live the charismatic identity of the Institution. This is how the Religious Profession is made. This Franciscan identity has a concrete face and is always in tune with the project of the Order and the Province," he said. 

And he concluded: "The sanctification of the Order takes place through fraternities that reflect this desire and struggle for holiness — a gift that becomes an offering to the world." 

Afterwards, the Minister Provincial, Br. Paulo, led a moment of reflection with the friars starting from some intuitions and perceptions. He recalled that fraternities must always be spaces of welcome and mutual care: "Fraternity is the ideal place for life to be healed," he said. 

He also reiterated that "legalism is not what orients our way of life. It can delimit some things, but the essential thing is the spirit that animates our way of life". 

He concluded emphatically: "It is not about what we will be, but about what we already are. Indeed, do not forget: we are friars, we are brothers — and this gives foundation and meaning to all the other things we can be and do." 

On Wednesday, the 2nd July, the day began with the recitation of Lauds. The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Br. Ivo Müller and concelebrated by Br. Rodrigo. In his homily, Br. Ivo conveyed words of encouragement and hope: 

"In prayer, in the Word of God, in fraternal coexistence and in the practice of charity, we find the best remedies to remain firm in our mission as friars and minors." 

After breakfast, the friars participated in the last moment of the meeting, which was also animated by Br. Ivo. Initially, they gathered in groups of three members to share concrete experiences that they are living in their fraternities and services. Then, there was a common sharing, in which many were able to express the joys and difficulties of this phase of Franciscan life. Br. Ivo also shared his recent personal experiences and made a summary of the journey made during the meeting. 

United by the same spirit and the same mission, the friars returned to their fraternities strengthened by the strength of the Lord, who accompanies and sustains each friar in his vocation and service. A mission with the certainty of research and the desire for this great shared project of the Order and the Province. 

Br. João Manoel Zechinatto, OFM

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