From August 24 to 28, 2026, the first part of the first Provincial Chapter of the new Province of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil took place at the Fazenda da Esperança Retreat Center in Guaratinguetá, São Paulo State, Brazil. The Center is nestled in a natural setting, surrounded by picturesque scenery.
This Chapter marked a special and very important event, as it formalized the unification of the Jurisdictions of the Province of St. Francis in Brazil (São Paulo) and the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro). Those attending included the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI; the Assistant General for the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC), Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER; the Minister Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of the Angels in the USA (OLA), Friar Michael HEINE; and the other friars from the two Jurisdictions.
During the Chapter, the Minister General emphasized “movement,” a word that will guide the new Province as it takes its first steps. Indeed, the life of the new Province will involve various forms of “movement,” both internally and in response to external and geographical circumstances.
Two other expressions that deeply impacted this fraternal gathering were “care” and “walking together.” Friar Michael HEINE, who was invited to participate in the Chapter, emphasized that the Chapter was being held at a facility where many people struggle to free themselves from substance addiction—a place characterized by a sense of “hope.” It was therefore particularly significant that the friars gathered here because they, too, would be called to heal their wounds and forgive what must be forgiven in order to renew hope and move forward.
Friar Josemar Bertes MACHADO was elected Minister Provincial; Friar Willian Gomes MENDONÇA was elected Vicar Provincial; Friar Carlos Roberto de Oliveira CHARLES was elected Provincial Secretary; and Friars José Hugo DA SILVA SANTOS and Alexandre PATUCCI DE LIMA were elected Definitors. The Minister Provincial–elect assured everyone of his desire and commitment, together with his Definitory, to walk together as a fraternity.
Finally, on Friday, August 28, the memorial of St. Augustine, the Provincial fraternity gathered at the feet of Our Lady of Aparecida at the National Shrine of Aparecida in Aparecida, São Paulo, Brazil, where they celebrated Mass and thus concluded the first part of the Chapter. The friars also entrusted to the patroness of the new Province the vocation and mission of each friar, as well as the journey of the new Provincial fraternity.
May the Blessed Virgin help us remain faithful to the Lord, live fully up to what He expects of us, and fulfill what He calls us to accomplish at this moment in our history as the fruit of our unification. Amen.
Friar Alexandre PATUCCI DE LIMA
Chapter Secretary
