Visit of the Minister General to the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe

From December 3^rd to 8^th 2018, the Minister General, Br. Michael Perry, accompanied by Definitor General Br. Ignacio Ceja, visited the brothers of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe present in Central America, Panama and Haiti. Upon his arrival, he met with the brothers of the Provincial Definitory and discussed the Province’s historical journey, its projects and its works, its challenges and its hopes. He later met the formators, who presented a brief overview of the formation programme and discussed the expectations and challenges of the task entrusted to them. He had two general meetings with the brothers, one in Guatemala City, where about 60 brothers took part, and a second meeting in San Salvador, in which 46 brothers took part. In both meetings he passed on a message of encouragement of fidelity to God and to our vocation as Friars Minor, attentive to the signs of the times. He was also able to listen and enter into dialogue with the friars on the situation and the future of the Order and of the Province. In Guatemala City, Br. Michael dedicated a whole day to meeting the young friars of the Province (under ten, temporary professed and novices). The friars, 57 in total, were able to express themselves at length, presenting their joys, difficulties, challenges and hopes in life and in their mission. Among the visits to the pastoral activities carried out by the brothers, the visit to the social works of Br. Pedro in the city of Antigua was particularly significant. There, as well as getting to know the various structures, he was able to greet the residents of the various sections and meet volunteers and other workers. In the various places the Minister General visited he was also able to meet with the Poor Clares, the brothers and sisters of the Secular Franciscan Order and the other members of the Franciscan Family. We thank the Minister Provincial Br. Edwin Alvarado and the other friars of the Province for their hospitality and their fraternal welcome. [gallery type="rectangular" link="file" ids="21024,21026,21028,21029,21030"]