On July 25-28, 2024, around thirty members of the local Franciscan Youth Ministry associated with the friar community in Curicó, Chile, took part in the second annual Franciscan Winter Mission. The mission was carried out in the parish in Cordillerilla, [a rural neighborhood in Greater Curicó], under the theme: “Listening with Humility Unites Us in Fraternity.”
The mission’s theme resonated deeply with the young people, who were preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. They lovingly dedicated themselves to the mission under the leadership of Friars Fabio M. MAZZINI, Benjamín CASTRO HERRERA and Sebastiano CONTRI.
The participants’ time in Cordillerilla was the very essence of mission: sharing, listening and being part of the life of the friars, even if only for a moment. They entered the homes and hearts of the people, whose warm and generous welcome gave them spiritual strength. The mission was more than bringing a message of faith, it was about bearing witness to God’s love through presence and action.
One of the most significant moments during the mission was the visit to the nearby village of Potrero Grande. Here, the people’s need for support and companionship was palpable. We met families who, despite living in precarious conditions, welcomed us with a smile and touching hospitality. One of the most significant activities carried out by the missionaries was the repair of a house whose family lived under very difficult conditions. The sight of hard-working young people, filled with enthusiasm and compassion, gave living witness to the Gospel and to being Franciscan. Every nail the young people hammered and every board they put in place did more than improve the house, it built a bridge of hope and solidarity.
Over the course of the mission there were meetings, prayers, songs and fraternity. Each conversation was an opportunity to listen humbly, to understand people’s joys and challenges, and to learn from their strength and faith. The young people realized that although they came to give, they received much more in terms of wisdom, love and gratitude.
The mission culminated with Sunday Mass, a time of deep spirituality and fellowship. The local church was filled with faithful who celebrated the Mass with such fervor that they were moved to tears. The generosity with which they welcomed the young people, their willingness to share as much or as little as they had, and their spirit of fraternity, were a clear manifestation of God’s love in action.
Bidding farewell to the faithful in Cordillerilla, we felt certain that we had been transformed by our experience there. The mission reminded us of the importance of listening with humility, of being united in fraternity and of being instruments of God’s love in the world.
We are deeply grateful for the time we spent with that community and we look forward to future missions where we can continue to sow seeds of faith and hope.
Friar Benjamín CASTRO HERRERA
