On October 16-20, 2023, the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Brazil celebrated the first part of its sixth Ordinary Provincial Chapter. The event took place at the Centro Franciscano de Educação e Cultura (CEFEC) in Brasilia, Brazil.
The first phase of the Chapter was presided over by the Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI. At that time, various reports were presented and analyzed in order to arrive at a summary of the main themes that will be used to help draft the Four-Year Provincial Plan. Later, the Assistant General for the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC), Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER, took part in the proceedings.
During the third session of the Chapter, presided over by Friar Carlos, the Capitulars reconfirmed Friar Gilberto DE JESUS RODRIGUES as the Minister Provincial. During the fourth session, presided over by Friar Gilberto, the Capitulars elected the other members of the Provincial Definitory, namely Friars Amilton Leandro GOMES NASCAMENTO (Vicar Provincial); Marcelo BORGES DA SILVA (Provincial Secretary), and Kazimierz CIEŚLIK, Emanuel AFONSO DA SILVA and Henrique DE SOUSA MENDONÇA (Definitors).
Special thanks to the friars from other Jurisdictions who attended the Chapter proceedings, namely Friar Carlos Roberto de Oliveira CHARLES, the Provincial Custos of the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil; Friar Alexandre PATUCCI DE LIMA, the Provincial Secretary of the Province of St. Francis of Assisi in Brazil; and Friar Jadson PEREIRA RÊGO, the Custodial Secretary of the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in Brazil.
The eighty-five friars of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Brazil join with the entire Order in giving thanks to God for this fraternal meeting. They thank the Holy Spirit for having illuminated and guided their minds, hearts and will, in discerning the will of God and living the Conventual Franciscan charism.
Friar Mayko ATALIBA CRUZ DE ANDRADE, Chapter Secretary
