On January 6-31, 2025, the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC) conducted a Second Novitiate Experience at the São Francisco de Assis Friary in Curitiba, Brazil, a presence of the Province of St. Francis in Brazil.
Five simply professed friars, preparing for solemn vows, participated. They were Friars Ytalo Weslley PEREIRA GUERRA (Province of St. Francis in Brazil); Gabriel José GARCIA GONZÁLEZ (Provincial Custody of Our Lady of Coromoto in Venezuela); Friar Márcio José SOUZA MOTTA (formerly a diocesan priest, now a member of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Brazil); Friar Carlos David JARA VERA (Provincial Delegation in Paraguay); and Friar Alisson MESQUITA DE SOUZA (Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in Brazil). Friar Alexandre PATUCCI DE LIMA coordinated the event whose theme was based on three aspects of Conventual Franciscan identity: Fraternity, presented by Friar José LANOIL DOS SANTOS of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Brazil; Minority, presented by Friar José Antônio CORNIATTI of the Province of St. Francis in Brazil; and Conventuality, presented by Friar Alexandre PATUCCI DE LIMA.
Finally, there was a week-long retreat centered on the meaning of the vows and religious profession. In addition to the five participating friars, fifteen novices from the St. Anthony of Padua Novitiate in Cascavél, Brazil, also participated in this retreat. The retreat was preached by Friar Michel da Cruz Alves DOS SANTOS of the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil.
We give thanks to the Lord for a fruitful Second Novitiate Experience conducted in an atmosphere of study, work, prayer and fraternal community.
Friar Alexandre PATUCCI DE LIMA, Provincial Secretary
