On October 3, 2022, the eve of the Solemnity of our Seraphic Father St. Francis, five confreres were vested in the Conventual Franciscan habit and thus began their canonical year of probation at the common novitiate of the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC). The ceremony took place at the San Maximiliano Kolbe Friary in Itagüí, Antioquia Department, Colombia.
The new novices are: Friar Weslyn Daniel CÁRCAMO ANDINO of the Provincial Custody of Mary, Mother of Mercy in Central America, and Friars Brayan Alfonso ESTRADA GARCÍA; Breiner TORREGLOSA ARDILA; Santiago de la Inmaculada BUILES BUILES; and Richard Javid ACUÑA RIVAS; all from the Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Colombia.
Friar Sidifredo de la Cruz CHAPARRO GUALDRÓN, President of the FALC Federation, presided over the ceremony accompanied by Friar Pedro Pablo BERMÚDEZ, Novice Master; Friar Daniel Andrés BOHÓRQUEZ GALVIS, Friar Manuel MARTÍNEZ GONZÁLEZ; and the families of the new novices.
The religious habit of the friars is a sign of our consecrated, fraternal, simple and poor life (cf. Const. 67 §1). Friar Sidifredo exhorted the novices to be aware of their identity as friars, which does not solely depend on wearing the habit. Nevertheless, the habit must always be worn with dignity and commitment.
We rejoice in the Lord for our confreres who have received this sign in the shape of the cross (cf. 1Cel 22; FF 356) and we implore the intercession of the Immaculate Conception and of our father St. Francis so that all may accept and live the Holy Gospel with joy.
Friar Pedro Pablo BERMÚDEZ, Novice Master