On September 19-23, 2022, the Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Colombia conducted a formation meeting for its friars in solemn profession for five years or less. The event took place at the San Maximiliano Kolbe Formation House in Itagüí, Antioquia Department, Colombia.
The meeting was led by Friar Jair del Cristo CONTRERAS LÁZARO, president of the Provincial Formation Commission and by Friar Sidifredo de la Cruz CHAPARRO GUALDRÓN, the Provincial Custos. Others attending included Friars Fabián Alberto MARTÍNEZ ARAQUE, Nelson Yesid CARVAJAL SIERRA, Leonardo José RÍOS MADERA, Camilo CALLE RAMÍREZ and David TABARES VÉLEZ.
The main objective of the meeting was to guide the friars as they transition from initial formation to the various local fraternities. This is a very important moment in the life of a friar, where, working with the fraternity, he seeks to respond to the Lord, from his own charismatic identity, transmitting the message of the Kingdom in the midst of a new setting (cf. Const. 177, §1).
The meeting provided some fundamental elements and dealt with such topics as the life of the friars, pastoral and liturgical life, affective maturity in consecrated life, and the charismatic identity of the friars; themes all inserted within the concrete setting of the Custody.
The meeting was carried out in a fraternal atmosphere. There were significant moments of prayer, common meals together and other opportunities to meet as brothers. The friars were able to share different experiences they had on the journey, and to talk about the Lord’s call in the midst of the different settings entrusted to them, including the mission.
Friar David TABARES VÉLEZ
