Between September 30 and October 1, 2025, friars from the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC) began arriving in Italy in order to participate in the Franciscan Formation Course in Assisi. The participating friars came from Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, and Venezuela. The course was sponsored by the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. It was an event full of grace and fraternity, and an opportunity to rediscover the Order’s original charism and spirituality.
Eighteen friars participated, namely, Friars Narciso Eusebio MAMANI PANIAGUA and Ramiro MEZA from the Provincial Custody of St. Francis in Bolivia; Friar Alessandro RODRIGUES DA SILVA from the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in Brazil (Maranhão); Friars Marcelo Dos Santos SILVA and Michel Alves Dos SANTOS from the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro);
Friars Afonso Rosa DOMINGOS and Alexandre DOMICIANO DA SILVA from the Province of St. Francis in Brazil (São Paulo); Friar Hoslan Alencar GUEDES LIMA from the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Brazil (Brasilia); Friars Ronaldo Francisco CRUZ GONZÁLEZ and Miguel Argelio BUSTILLOS PADILLA from the Provincial Custody of Mary, Mother of Mercy in Central America; Friars Fabián Esteban ARRIETA BOTERO and Daniel Andrés BOHÓRQUEZ GALVIS from the Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Colombia; Friars Noé CHÁVEZ RAMÍREZ and Lorenzo ROJAS GUTIÉRREZ from the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico; Friar Carlos David JARA VERA from the Provincial Delegation in Paraguay; Friar Elvio Saúl CABELLO CORZO from the Provincial Delegation in Peru; and Friars Deiby Antonio VERGARA PALENCIA and Carlo Manuel PÁRRAGA MARTÍNEZ from the Provincial Custody of Our Lady of Coromoto in Venezuela.
The meeting was coordinated by Friars Jesús E. CEBALLOS BENAVIDES from the Provincial Delegation in Ecuador and Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER, the Assistant General for the FALC Federation. On October 2-25, the participants were fraternally accommodated at the Franciscanum in Assisi, where they undertook three intensive weeks of spirituality, formation, and fraternal communion.
At the beginning of the course, the friars celebrated the Transitus and the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi. These celebrations were marked by deep emotion and ecclesial communion. The participants observed the tireless witness of the friars of the Basilica of St. Francis, who zealously and dedicatedly welcome thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. These opening events gave the participants fresh zeal for their vocation and for the gift of fraternity.
Formation and Contemplation: The Heart of the Journey
The second week of the course featured Friar Marcos Alejandro QUESADA NAVARRO. He gave a profound reflection on the “Writings of St. Francis.” He led the participants into a deeper contemplation of the mystery surrounding the life of St. Francis, revealing new nuances of his radical dedication to the Gospel and his love for Christ.
In the third week, the friars visited significant places in the life and mission of St. Francis, namely, Spoleto, San Damiano, Rivotorto, the Porziuncola, Foligno, Fonte Colombo, Greccio, the Hermitage of the Carceri, Gubbio, and Mount La Verna. They also rediscovered the city of Assisi itself, whose spirituality was felt in every stone, street, and church. Notable events during the week included Mass at the tomb of St. Francis and Mass at the Porziuncola. Both Masses were characterized by profound communion and gratitude.
An Experience in the Heart of Assisi
During their stay at the Franciscanum, the friars immersed themselves in the daily spiritual life of Assisi, breathing in the Franciscan atmosphere each day. Highlights included visits to the Library and Archives of the Sacred Convent and the exhibition: “Laudato sie! Nature and Science: The Cultural Legacy of Brother Francis,” led by Friar Carlo Maria BOTTERO. The participants got to explore the Order’s historical documents, such as papal bulls, legislative and spiritual texts, and other treasures that recount centuries of history, which the friars have carefully preserved.
Thanks and Appreciation
The participants thanked the Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, and the entire Government of the Order, for their fraternal presence, constant support, and communion, which make formation experiences like this possible and strengthen the bonds and charismatic identity of the Franciscan family. They also thanked Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER, the Assistant General for the FALC Federation, for his fraternal guidance, presence and constant support. They thanked the Custody of Assisi and the Franciscanum community for their warm welcome and witness of fraternity. Finally, they thanked Friars Jesús E. CEBALLOS BENAVIDES and Raimundo Valdo NOGUEIRA for the organization and logistics of the course.
The friars returned to their Jurisdictions, their hearts ablaze with the joy of the Gospel and the desire to live the Franciscan charism with renewed vigor, inspired by the one who turned simplicity into a path to holiness: St. Francis of Assisi.
Friar Fabián Esteban ARRIETA BOTERO
Friar Hoslan Alencar GUEDES LIMA
