On July 2-6, 2018, the friars of the Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Colombia gathered for a spiritual retreat at the “La Montañita” retreat center, in the town of La Estrella (Antioquia Department).
Friar Juan Miguel VICENTE VALTUEÑA, OFM Conv., was the director of this annual fraternal and spiritual event. He is a confrere from the Province of Our Lady of Montserrat in Spain. He led the friars in their spiritual exercises. Bringing to bear his experience in the consecrated life and in the academic world, he enlightened individuals and community alike with a meditation on the theme: “Encounters with Jesus in the Gospel of St. John”. Using this theme, Friar Miguel encouraged the friars to continue to respond promptly and generously to the plan Jesus has for each one of us.
On the last day of the retreat some time was set aside for prayer and fraternity with the postulants at the St. Maximilian Kolbe formation house. It was a pleasant and joyful experience, full of the spontaneity and happiness that is characteristic of young people.
We thank God for having given the friars the opportunity to meet in an atmosphere of fraternity, closeness, dialogue and joy, and to study his Word. It continues to guide us and illuminate our journey as consecrated men and Franciscans, in the various ways we live our charism in the Provincial Custody.
Friar Fabián Alberto MARTÍNEZ ARAQUE
