On August 27-31, 2023, the friars of the Delegation in Chile, belonging to the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy), conducted a formation week at the Inmaculada Concepción Friary in Santiago, Chile.
The formation week began on Sunday, August 27, with Evening Prayer. On the morning of August 28, Sister Marzia CESCHIA, from Italy, lectured on the theme, “Spiritual Reading of the Canticle of the Creatures.” In the afternoon, Friar Cristofer FERNANDEZ, from the USA, helped the friars discover “Franciscan Roots and Shoots in Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Sí’.” On the morning of August 29, Friar Ugo SARTORIO lectured on “Conversion and Ecological Spirituality.” That afternoon, Friar Cristofer FERNANDEZ returned to complete his reflection. On August 30, Father Mario INSULZA, SJ, a young theologian and professor at the Universidad Católica of Santiago, Chile, lectured on “Ecology in Eschatological Terms.” Finally, on August 31, Friar Jaime CAMPOS, OFM, lectured on “A Look from the Church and the Order: Praxis in Our Daily Lives.” His presentation took place at the retreat center in San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile.
According to the Delegation’s 2023 Four-Year Plan, which deals with the Franciscan lifestyle, the friars wanted to reflect on their own evangelical lifestyle, so that it might bear truly credible witness for proclaiming the Gospel today, and at the same time, promote an ecological and sustainable lifestyle. For this reason, the friars chose “‘Cum Tucte’ Your Creatures: Lifestyle, Conversion and Ecology” as the theme of the formation week. During the week, a celebration took place for friars whose birthdays fell in August and September. Lastly, on August 31, the friars were deeply grateful to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Friar Fabio MAZZINI.
Friar Jack GINTING
