On January 3-6, 2022, the Provincial Custody of Mary Mother of Mercy in Central America celebrated its second Ordinary Custodial Chapter. The Chapter was held at the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Friary in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Those attending the Chapter included the Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI; the Assistant General for the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC), Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER; and the Minister Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation in the USA, Friar Wayne J. HELLMANN.
At the beginning of the Chapter, the election of the Custos and his Definitory took place. The following Friars were elected: Friar Jorge A. DOBLES ULLOA (Provincial Custos, second term); Friar Julio Enoc ZELEDÓN HERRERA (Custodial Vicar); Friar Marco V. UMAÑA JUÁREZ (Custodial Secretary); and Friars Juan A. PAGOADA ACOSTA and Grevin O. SIERRA RIVERA (Definitors).
The Chapter took place in a fraternal atmosphere. The friars had time for cordial interaction, and were able to contribute to the various sessions held in the Chapter hall. They worked in groups and made plans for the life of the Custody.
The friars celebrated the last session of the Chapter on Thursday morning, January 6. They then came together in profound prayer during the closing Mass of the Chapter. At that time, the newly elected Custos, Friar Jorge, encouraged the friars to keep alive the spirit of service and fraternity and to continue to guide the holy people of God in every presence of the Custody.
In this context of communal prayer, the Custos invited all of the friars to pray for Friar Erick G. MARÍN CARBALLO, who will begin missionary service in the Amazon (Brazil) starting in February of 2022. Two gifts were presented to our confrere, so that he might sense that the friars of the Custody are with him in prayer. All of the friars then wished him well and sent him forth with words of encouragement.
Finally, the friars prayed for those confreres who now enjoy eternal glory, whose lives set an excellent example of being Franciscans in Central America, so that by their witness, they may continue to animate the daily life of the friars.
We thank the Supreme Good for allowing us to meet as a community and we entrust the Custody to the intercession of Mary, Queen of the Angels and St. Francis of Assisi.
Friar Marco V. UMAÑA JUÁREZ, Custodial Secretary
