Visit to the Province of the Immaculate Conception

After participating in the Assembly of the Franciscan Conferences of Latin America (UCLAF) in São Paulo and attending the Chapter of the Province of St Francis Solanus in Peru, the Minister General, Br Massimo Fusarelli, and the Definitor General for Latin America, Br César Külkamp, are making a fraternal visit to the Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Conception of Brazil from 30 January to 7 February.

This visit officially began last December, when Br Massimo and Br César were in Angola, at the Foundation of the Immaculate Mother of God, to attend the Chapter of Mats of the Angolan friars and the solemn profession of eight friars.

In Brazil, 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 visit continued with the Eucharist in the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish church, which was attended by the people of God and many members of the Franciscan Family. 

The visit, which will continue until 7 February, will go through the five states of the Province's presence in Brazil. Br Massimo asked that the priority of the visit be a meeting with all the friars. He hopes for moments of dialogue on the reality of the Province, its strengths and some difficulties, especially based on the significant themes chosen for the whole Order. 

"Together, in a spirit of synodality (listening, communion and participation), we want to re-launch the challenge of embracing our identity as Friars Minor. We must pay attention to the challenges of our time and our contexts of Franciscan life and seek ways of re-enchantment and restructuring that allow a vocational response with more prophecy," said the Minister.

© Photo by Br Ruan Felipe Sguissardi, OFM, Province of the Immaculate Conception, Brazil