On April 18-21, 2020, the Province of St. Francis in Brazil held its fifth annual Conventual Franciscan Youth Day. This time, the event took place in a completely different way, with everyone staying home due to the pandemic.

Eighty-nine young people participated, together with six solemnly professed friars, three simply professed friars and a Capuchin tertiary sister. The participants were divided into five groups. Each group took the name of a Poor Clare monastery, since this year’s theme was “The Little Plant of Our Father St. Francis” and the meditation was centered on the letters of St. Clare of Assisi to St. Agnes of Prague.
The young people were able to participate in the meeting each day by using the official Instagram profile of the Province. All those who signed in were given a link to view the proposed texts and then share their reflections on the words of St. Clare.
It was a rich and focused time of sharing our spirituality. Although many of the participants did not know each other personally, they felt welcomed by the Conventual fraternity. St. Clare and St. Agnes never met, yet they were united to the poor Christ because they were “Poor Sisters”.
We thank the Lord that the young people got a chance to learn more about the story and spirituality of St. Clare. We ask for her intercession for the whole world during this time of tribulation.

Friar Flávio Martins VENÂNCIO