On August 25-27, 2025, the friars of the Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Colombia gathered to celebrate their Pre-Chapter Assembly. The event took place at the San Antonio de Padua Formation House in Bogotá, Colombia.
The friars engaged in three days of focused and fraternal discussions in preparation for their upcoming 9th Ordinary Custodial Chapter scheduled for November and December of 2025.
The first day began with a Mass of the Holy Spirit presided over by the Provincial Custos, Friar Sidifredo DE LA CRUZ CHAPARRO GUALDRÓN. He invited the friars to welcome this preparatory period as a time of grace to evaluate, reflect, discern, pray, and thus support one another and orient themselves toward the next four-year term.
Avoiding useless complaints or paralyzing diagnoses, the friars chose to look at the reality of the Custody with faith and hope, acknowledging the challenges, difficulties, goals, and potential before them. They also recognized that not everything is easy, that this is a time of transition, requiring them to rethink structures and adapt to a changing society. The friars remained aware of God’s call and did not allow themselves to feel defeated. Like St. Francis at San Damiano, they heard God’s continuing invitation: “Go and repair my house.”
The friars worked In an atmosphere of fraternal listening, prayer, freedom, and dialogue. They reflected deeply on several important topics that shape their life and mission: the primacy of God, fraternity, formation, finances, and the charism and its transmission. They also examined various social projects, vocation promotion, and the works of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC). The reports on the life of the friaries helped anchor these reflections in the realities of the fraternities and fostered fraternal discernment committed to the present and the future of the Order.
The Pre-Chapter Assembly embraced the spirit and ecclesial reality of the Synod on Synodality. There were several sisters of the Franciscan Third Order present, along with members of the Franciscan Youth and the Militia of the Immaculata. They spoke about their feelings, mission, and apostolate. They evaluated the presence of the friars who assist them and contributed valuable suggestions that resonated with all those present. This gathering truly represented a kairos—a special moment for attentive listening to the Spirit.
We ask God that the next Custodial Chapter may be a true Easter of renewal, sustained by the confidence that “the Most High, almighty, and good Lord” walks with us.
Friar Cristian Josué DE LA CRUZ DE LA CRUZ
