On February 17-20, 2020, the annual retreat for the post-novices of the Provincial Custody of Mary, Mother of Mercy in Central America was held at the Monte Alvernia Retreat House in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. The retreat house is run by the Order of Friars Minor.

This event officially inaugurated the start of the 2020 formation year. The post-novitiate welcomed two newly professed this year: Friar Ronaldo Francisco CRUZ GONZÁLEZ and Friar Leoncio Obed PIC ASUNCIÓN. Both made their temporary profession on January 15, 2020, in Costa Rica. Their professions took place at the end of their novitiate year, which was held in in Itagüí, Colombia.
During the first part of the retreat, the friars meditated on the conditions for following Jesus. During the second part, they used the Testament of St. Francis of Assisi as the starting point for a reflection on four central points of the inheritance we receive as Friars Minor: mercy, fraternity, the Rule and peace.
The retreat concluded with a period of silence and prayer in the light of the Word. The post-novices used that time to write a personal life plan for 2020, which they then entrusted into God’s hands.
The participants thanked God for giving them their call to follow Him every day, and for granting them this time of grace and mercy. Special thanks go to Friar Javier Ernesto GUERRA, the Guardian and formator at the Friary of San Antonio de Padua in San Salvador; and to Friar Marcio Rolando MATUTE BERDE, the President of the Custodial Commission for Formation, for their leadership and guidance on this retreat.
May Mary, Mother of Mercy, lead our confreres on their formative journey to become living and prophetic signs in the midst of the peoples of Central America.

Friar Andrés QUESADA SOTO