On February 8, 2020, the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil celebrated the simple profession of Friar Fernando PEREIRA DE ANDRADE JUNIOR. The ceremony took place at the São Francisco de Assis Church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Provincial Custos, Friar Ronaldo GOMES DA SILVA, presided over the celebration and accepted Friar Fernando’s vows. Friar Fernando will be residing at the São Bonaventura Friary in Brasilia (Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Brazil) while he completes his theological studies at the São Bonaventura Institute (ISB). He joins two other confreres from his Custody, Friars Ricardo Elvis ARRUDA BEZERRA and Jesús RODRIGUES DO AMARA, who have been living there for the last two years while they pursue their studies.
The next day, February 9, the Provincial Custos presided over a Mass to welcome the new formation candidates (pre-postulants) from the São Bonaventura Formation House in Petrópolis (Rio de Janeiro). Their formator, Friar Luiz Henrique Nascimento LIMA, and the Custodial Vocations Director, Friar William Gomes MENDONÇA, concelebrated at the Mass. There are eight new pre-postulants: Adilson FERNANDES DOS SANTOS; Airton Johnatan FLORÊNCIO SILVA; Gabriel Daum MARTINS; Herisson RODRIGUES DIAS; Juan Pablo OSWALDINO MARCHON; Marcelo Augusto PEREIRA DA COSTA; Luciano de Almeida VIEIRA; and Ramon Diego DO NASCIMENTO. Currently, there are two postulants from the Custody residing in this formation house.
We thank God for these brothers of ours and pray for their perseverance in the Franciscan vocation.

Carlos Carlos de Oliveira CHARLES, Custodial Secretary