Since the beginning of 2023, the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in Brazil has been carrying out various activities to mark the 800th anniversary of the Later Rule. This was the rule that Pope Honorius III approved at the request of our seraphic father St. Francis of Assisi.
Commemorating the 800th anniversary of the Later Rule means celebrating the very way of life of the Friars Minor Conventual. This is nothing less than the observance of the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The first anniversary celebration took place on February 12, 2023, at the Santo Antônio de Pádua Parish in the Maraponga district of Fortaleza, State of Ceará, Brazil. It was preceded by a three-day vocation event which culminated with a Mass presided over by the Provincial Custos, Roberto HONORATO OLIVEIRA DOS REMÉDIOS. During the Mass, he also received the vows of some friars making their simple profession.
This is a very meaningful time because while we are celebrating the anniversaries of our Order, the Church in Brazil is celebrating its third Vocation Year. Since we are in communion with the Church in Brazil, we will celebrate both initiatives together in all the parishes of our Jurisdiction.
On March 5-11, 2023, the Santa Dulce dos Pobres Parish in Teresina, State of Piauí, organized a vocation week which included adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, some lectures, a vocation fair and daily Mass. The purpose of the event was to display the Conventual Franciscan charism to the whole parish, especially the younger members, who got to learn more about our way of life and our Rule. Religious from various congregations and from the Franciscan family also took part in the vocation week.
Also in March, the Santo Antônio de Pádua Parish in São Luís, State of Maranhão, launched its commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the Rule and the Vocation Year with a Mass attended by the postulants of the Custody.
On April 20-23, 2023, the Santa Dulce dos Pobres Parish in Teresina celebrated a three-day vocation event with the whole parish community in order to again commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Rule. Various activities were carried out, such as the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, periods of prayer, and Mass. The event culminated with a meeting for young people on the theme, “The Later Rule: Eight Hundred Years of Franciscan Experience in the Heart of the Church.” The Provincial Custos was also present for this event.
Friar Roberto HONORATO OLIVEIRA DOS REMÉDIOS, Provincial Custos