In February, 2025, the Provincial Custody of St Bonaventure in Brazil experienced some notable events.
The first of these was a Custodial meeting for men in formation. It was held February 4-6, at the Custodial Curia in São Luís, Brazil. Men at all stages of formation participated, from postulants to professed. The meeting included specific times for spirituality and for formation. The Custos, Friar Roberto HONORATO OLIVEIRA DOS REMÉDIOS, was present and spoke about Pope Francis’ Encyclical “Dilexit nos.” Next, Friar Lucas DOS SANTOS SILVA discussed “Spirituality in Franciscan Life.” After that, a lawyer, Dr. THEMIS, gave a brilliant report on how religious should behave towards the faithful, highlighting the protocol on abuse.
On February 6, the Custody bid farewell to Friar Abdias RODRIGUES MENDES, the oldest friar of the Custody and the Order, who passed away at 103 years old. He celebrated his last Easter among the friars who had just arrived from the novitiate, as he had always wished. The funeral vigil was celebrated in the early hours of the morning on February 6 in the oratory of the Menino Jesus de Praga Friary, where he was a member of the community. Morning Prayer and Mass were recited in his suffrage; followed by a procession to Bom Jardim, in the interior of Maranhão State, where Friar Abdias carried out great missionary work. There, on February 7, a crowd of faithful bid farewell to Friar Abdias during a funeral vigil. On February 8, the funeral itself was celebrated, followed by burial at the Nossa Senhora de Fátima Church, the first church built by the founders of the Conventual Franciscan mission.
On the same day, back in the oratory of the Menino Jesus de Praga Friary, five friars made their simple profession. Many faithful were present and rejoiced for these new consecrated men. They are Friars Francisco Bruno SILVA MENDES; Antônio Hudson Saulo SILVA VALE; Fábio Lucas BARBOSA FERREIRA; Denival Gildo MAEQUES JUNIOR; and Lucas James NORBERTO MOURA.
On February 15, the postulancy program began with Mass presided over by the Custodial Secretary, Friar Gleison CONCEIÇÃO DA SILVA, together with the Rector of Postulants, Friar Cristhian RIQUELME ACOSTA.
On February 17, the Provincial Custos, Friar Roberto, celebrated Mass at the João Duns Scoto Friary in Fortaleza, Ceará State, to inaugurate the post-novitiate formation year.
Friar Roberto HONORATO OLIVEIRA DOS REMÉDIOS, Provincial Custos
