On September 24–29, 2026, twenty-four young friars from the Seraphicum International College in Rome took part in a weeklong spiritual retreat at the Nostra Signora del Cuore di Gesù Spirituality Center in Cave, Italy.
The participants—priests, deacons, and solemnly professed friars—were guided by Friar Marcos Alejandro QUESADA NAVARRO, who also led the retreat meditations.
The retreat centered on the Testament of St. Francis. Drawing on the experience of the Saint of Assisi, Friar Marcos invited the friars to reexamine their own lives in the light of God’s presence, reflecting on Francis’ words, “The Lord led me.” He also encouraged them to recognize God’s presence not only in moments of joy but also in situations in which His presence may be harder to discern, as happened to Francis when he encountered lepers.
The week gave the friars an opportunity for meaningful spiritual reflection and growth on their vocational journey. The retreat also gave the friars time for inner preparation in anticipation of the new academic year, which has already begun.
Friar Mauro ZAMMIT
