On January 6-14, 2024, the 5th Annual Conventual Franciscan Youth Mission took place at the Parish Church of São Pedro and São Paulo, in the city of Paraíba do Sul, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The mission is an initiative of the Province of St. Francis in Brazil. This year, friars from the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil also participated.
The mission consisted of door-to-door evangelization. The participants included thirty young people from the States of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, five friars in solemn vows, one friar in simple vows and two postulants who will enter the novitiate this year.
In addition to meeting with families, the friars and young people visited the Immaculate Heart of Mary Institute, run by the Orionine Sisters, which takes care of women with special needs. They also visited the Lar Vincentino nursing home, which is currently managed by the municipality of Paraíba do Sul.
The 5th Conventual Franciscan Youth Mission was a great opportunity for prayer, evangelization, fraternal interaction between the friars and the young people, formation, learning, exchanging experiences and opening minds and hearts.
The young people got to learn about the different realities in the area surrounding the Parish Church of São Pedro and São Paulo.
May God, through the intercession of St. Francis and St. Clare, make the seeds sown during this period of mission bear fruit. Peace and All Good!
Friar Ricardo da Cruz ARRUDA BEZERRA, Vocations Promoter
