From Monday January 26 to Friday January 30, 2026, the Ordinary Assembly of the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC) took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Assembly gathered together the Ministers Provincial, Custodes, and Delegates of Latin America.
The Assembly began with a spiritual reflection led by Friar Luis Henrique Nascimento LIMA. He invited those present to remain in a continuous dynamic of renewal in the light of the Franciscan charism.
The Assembly officially opened at 3:00 p.m., with remarks from the FALC Federation President, Friar Sidifredo de la Cruz CHAPARRO GUALDRÓN. Next, there was a greeting from the hosting Custos of the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Friar Carlos Roberto de Oliveira CHARLES. The assembly then approved the working program and afterwards, attended a conference entitled “The Conventual Franciscans in Latin America 1946-1966,” presented by Friar Roberto TOMICHÁ CHARUPÁ. The conference was continued the next day as a day of historical reflection, marking the Order’s eighty years of presence in Latin America. The day concluded with the celebration of Mass. For the remainder of the week, the Masses were celebrated in the morning.
In the days that followed, Friar Valerio FOLLI, Coordinator of the Order’s Projects Office, joined the Assembly. He detailed his service and provided valuable guidance to his confreres. The Assistant General for the FALC Federation, Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER, also contributed, offering clarifying and motivating insights throughout each session.
The Ministers Provincial, Custodes, and Delegates shared updates on the status of their respective Jurisdictions, including a general analysis of key challenges in vocations, initial and continuing formation, the exercise of authority and obedience, financial matters, and other issues—along with each Jurisdiction’s future outlook.
Later, Friar João Reinert, OFM, gave a lecture entitled “The Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and Its Reception.”
On Wednesday afternoon, January 28, the Assembly moved to the Rio Comprido neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro to pray Evening Prayer together with a large group of bishops engaged in a missionary refresher course. Evening Prayer was celebrated within the context of the Franciscan Jubilee Year commemorating the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. Later that evening, they celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving to commemorate eighty years of the Order’s presence in Latin America, particularly in the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro).
On Thursday, January 29, the new FALC Federation Council was elected. Friar Sidifredo was reelected as President. Friar José Hugo da Silva SANTOS shall continue as Vice President. and Friar Alberto Javier FONTANA as Econom. Added to the Council, with the approval of the Assembly, were Friar Pablo Alonso CARVAJAL ESPINOZA as Secretary and Friar Juan Carlos VARGAS CÁCERES as Councilor. In the afternoon, the friars visited the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain. The outing took place in a fraternal and festive atmosphere.
The Assembly concluded on Friday, January 30, with thanksgiving to God in the celebration of Mass and with the entrustment of the Federation’s path ahead. In the morning, the friars reflected on the future of the FALC Federation, on their commitments, expectations, and hopes, and planned upcoming meetings and activities.
Friar Pablo Alonso CARVAJAL ESPINOZA
