On May 3, 2023, the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) conducted the second session of its ongoing conference series on the world of St. Francis and the 13th century. The session took place at the São Francisco de Assis Parish Church in Rio Comprido, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This second session (the first took place on April 19) was arranged by the aforementioned church and by the Fluminense Federal University in Brazil. The Pastor, Friar Ronaldo GOMES DA SILVA, helped coordinate the event. Those attending included local parishioners, friars from the friary, teachers and some faithful from other parishes.
The speaker of the evening was the Custos, Friar Roberto de Oliveira CHARLES. He is a Doctor of Theology as well. He lectured on the topic: “The New Social Order in the 13th Century: A Perspective on Reading the Later Rule of St. Francis.”
A new session in this conference series will be presented every two weeks. The series ends on July 12, 2023.

Friar Fábio SOARES DA SILVA, Custodial Vicar