From June 30 to July 4, 2025, the Friars Minor Conventual of the Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Colombia gathered in a spirit of prayer, reflection, and fraternity for their annual spiritual retreat. The event is a powerful time of grace that revitalizes the path of consecration. The retreat was held at the La Montañita Spirituality Center, run by the Salesian Sisters, in La Estrella, Antioquia Department, Colombia.
Father Luis Bernardo MUR MALAGÓN (Salesian), Doctor of Legal Sciences, preached the retreat. His pastoral and academic perspective deeply touched Franciscan hearts. He reminded the friars about the greatness and the demands of their ecclesial vocation. His wisdom and insight guided the participants along the path of their charism, and he did so, not as an outside observer, but as one who has penetrated the depths of the Franciscan spirit. He insisted that we embody hope, that we walk together as brothers who encourage one another, and that we rebuild our personal life plan based on a foundation of synodality. All this resonated with particular force. Moreover, as he spoke, he drew upon our renewed Constitutions—the law of life for the friars—presenting them as a true path to holiness. The fact that a Salesian freely chose to reference the law of our Order―without explicitly being told to do so―was a strong invitation for the friars to examine their real and emotional bond with the Order and the charismatic legislation that it is founded upon.
This retreat also served as the start of the second novitiate program for Friars David de Jesús VELÁSQUEZ CARDONA and Cristian Josué DE LA CRUZ DE LA CRUZ. Both are preparing to profess solemn vows. Their renewed “yes” and their desire to conform themselves more fully to Christ in the life of the Franciscan charism, were a sign of hope for the entire Custody, encouraging all the friars to rekindle their own original fervor.
The last day, Friday, July 4, was particularly joyful, thanks to the participation of the friars who visited from the common novitiate of the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC). They participated in the preacher’s final reflection, entitled: “The 800th Anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures: Renewing Our Journey Together.” It was a moment of communion, praise and gratitude for the legacy of St. Francis, who continues to inspire new paths of consecrated life. The closing Mass, celebrated in fraternity, spiritually sealed the fruits of this grace-filled retreat.
The friars of the Custody thank God for allowing them to participate in this retreat, which was conducted in an atmosphere of fraternity, affinity, dialogue, and joy. They also thanked the Lord for nourishing them with His Word, which continues to guide and enlighten their journey as consecrated Franciscans, amidst the various ways they live out the charism in this Custody, while adhering to the law of the Order.
Friar David de Jesús VELÁSQUEZ CARDONA
