On June 4-7, 2026, the 11th annual Conventual Franciscan Youth Gathering took place at Casa Kolbe in Caçapava (São Paulo), Brazil. This year’s theme was “Francis Lives.”
The Gathering brought together over sixty young people from parishes entrusted to the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Brazil. The parishes are located in the cities of Santo André, Caçapava, Mogi das Cruzes, Santa Bárbara d’Oeste, Curitiba, Guaraniaçu, and Ubatuba.
The Gathering began on June 4 with a welcoming reception and lunch. Afterwards, everyone celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, through Mass and Eucharistic adoration. These events, centered on Christ in the Eucharist, remained at the heart of the Gathering throughout the week.
The second day opened with Mass celebrated by Friar Alexandre PATUCCI DE LIMA. Later, the participants were able to deepen their understanding of Franciscan spirituality and history through two formation sessions. The first, “How the Franciscan Order Was Formed,” was led by Friar Flávio Martins VENÂNCIO. The second, “800 Years of the Transitus and Testament of St. Francis,” was conducted by Friar Alexandre PATUCCI DE LIMA.
In the late afternoon, the young people participated in the “Franciscan Sunset,” a period of contemplation and reflection inspired by the Franciscan values of hospitality and fraternity. The second day concluded with a concert entitled “Francis Lives,” performed by the band “The Freis.”
The third day, June 6, began with Mass presided over by Friar Antônio Felipe de Oliveira ZAGO. Next, the young people gathered to spend some time in fraternal conversation. In the afternoon, they participated in various thematic workshops, freely choosing among the available options. The topics included: “The Taizé Prayer”; “The Life of St. Clare”; “The Eucharist and St. Francis”; “Circular Dance”; “God the Worker”; and “This Is What I Desire with All My Heart!” The day concluded with the traditional Fraternal Evening, featuring shows, theatrical performances, folk dances, and a bonfire.
On the last day of the meeting, the young people prayed the Franciscan Crown [Rosary] and participated in the final Mass, which was presided over by Friar Gustavo Jonas ROCHA DE MEDEIROS.
Provincial Secretariat
