On October 9-13, 2023, the “Rioplatense” Province of St. Anthony of Padua in Argentina-Uruguay celebrated the first part of its tenth Ordinary Chapter. The Chapter took place at the Jesús Buen Pastor Retreat Center in Florida, Uruguay.
The first part of the Chapter was presided over by the Assistant General for the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC) Friar Rogerio PEREIRA XAVIER. The Chapter began with the presentation and analysis of the reports, in order to produce a summary of the main topics to be used for drafting the Provincial Four-Year Plan. The third session was presided over by the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI. At that time, the members of the Provincial Definitory were elected, namely, Friar Javier A. FONTANA (Minister Provincial, second term); Friar Mario D. CORREA (Provincial Vicar, second term); Friar Martín P. BITZER (Provincial Secretary, second term); Friar Álvaro GARCÍA VITALE D’AMICO (Definitor, second term); Friar Horacio M. Raúl ZABALA (Definitor, first term); and Friar Miguel Ángel LÓPEZ (Definitor, first term).
We thank God for this fraternal meeting and for the presence of the confreres who helped guide the work of the Chapter, in particular, Friar Jorge DOBLES ULLOA (General Canonical Visitator and Provincial Custos of the Custody of Mary Mother of Mercy in Central America); Friar André Luiz Ferreira MACHADO (Novice Master and Definitor in the Province of St. Francis in Brazil); and Friar Fabrizio RESTANTE (Provincial Delegate in Chile).
The twenty-four Capitulars of the Rioplatense Province join with the entire Order in thanking the Holy Spirit, who illuminated and guided their minds, hearts and will, so that they might discern God’s will during their journey and experience of the Conventual Franciscan charism in Argentina and Uruguay.
Friar Lindor Alcides TOFFUL, Chapter Secretary
