From the 2nd–4th June 2024, the Minister General, Br Massimo Fusarelli, and the General Definitors for Latin America, Br César Külkamp and Br Joaquín Echeverry, visited the Province of the Holy Faith in Colombia, coinciding with the beginning of the Intermediate Provincial Chapter.
Several crucial themes were addressed in the meetings between the members of the general government and the friars of the Province: the importance of the spirit of prayer, often weakened by work and administrative problems – Br Massimo launched the idea of creating an oratory so that the friars can renew their spiritual life; He also pointed out the risk that personal projects, the search for power, the search for personal privileges and the cult of pessimism will overcome the missionary spirit of fraternity. To this, the Minister General affirmed that the friars must be brothers full of hope, oriented to listening, abandoning individualism or fateful provincialism. To reach this maturity of human and Franciscan life, it is necessary to take care of ongoing and initial formation, but, above all, it is necessary to rethink initial formation in the Province, according to the words of the Minister General.
A requirement of this formation has to do with listening to the poor and being close to them: being close to the marginalized will allow us to review our lifestyle in the midst of today's society; Setting up a provincial project for the use of the buildings and promoting a culture of sincere and honest work will also be an antidote to laziness, because the habit of work and discipline create virtue.
Br César Külkamp, General Definitor of the area, in his speech spoke of the importance of dismantling clericalism, which has historically permeated the Order. Today things happen through dialogue, through cultivating the spirit of synodality as a participation for the growth of fraternal life. In this regard, Br César highlighted three articulating principles: strengthening the charismatic dimension and the life of faith; the lightening of physical structures such as traditional mental schemes; a rethinking of the system of the Order, so that there may be an authentic renewal of the charism and identity as Friars Minor in the midst of this society.
Br Joaquín Echeverry, General Definitor and member of the Province, presented some perspectives that can help the brothers to reflect on the renewal of their identity, promoting new spaces and forms of presence.
On the afternoon of the 3rd June, Br César met with the temporarily professed friars, opening a fraternal dialogue about the perspectives, concerns and proposals related to the formation cycle in the Province. This space allowed the friars to express how they perceive the development of formation, highlighting key elements for the renewal of the charism. The Definitor thanked the friars for their openness, recognizing the need to plan formation and to include the temporary friars in the formation council. He underlined the importance of implementing the guidelines of the Ratio Formationis and encouraged the brothers to express their concerns without fear, stating that "temporary vows are no less important than solemn vows."
With the contribution of the Communications Team of the Province of the Holy Faith in Colombia.
