From August 31 to September 4, 2020, a formation week took place for the confreres of the three communities of the Provincial Delegation in Chile. The Delegation belongs to the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy).
Due to the current pandemic, the formation sessions were held online. Friars Ramón ZÁS GARCÍA and Enrico BROCCHI were able to participate from Italy. The week provided a good opportunity to reflect on some themes of faith, even though everyone missed being physically together in an atmosphere of fraternity.
The formation week was led by Friar Guilherme PEREIRA ANSELMO JÚNIOR, a biblical scholar and the Provincial Superior of the Missionary Congregation of St. Ignatius of Antioch in Brazil. The theme of the event was: “The Popular Reading of the Bible in Latin America: Being Instruments in God’s Hands. How God Transforms Us and Moves Us to Be Prophets in Our Day”. Based on the characteristics of the popular reading of the Bible, Friar Guilherme presented texts involving Elijah, Moses and St. Paul. In addition, he also spoke about the practical life of the friars, the Delegation and the Church in Chile.
Two documentaries were presented for further study. The first, “The Island of Flowers”, dealt with the various networks that interconnect all people. The second, “Barefoot on the Red Earth”, covered the missionary life of the Most Reverend Pedro CASALDÁLIGA PLA, Prelate Emeritus of São Félix, Brazil and his missionary activities in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest.
On the last day, the friars discussed issues dealing with community life, vocations and youth ministry. They also talked about matters regarding the Delegation and they examined the possibility of creating a website.
Some confreres in initial formation, Friar Augusto Esteban URZÚA GONZÁLES and Postulant Benjamín CASTRO, participated in the formation event and prepared two community prayer segments which were carried out at the beginning and end of the meeting.
Friar Jack GINTING
