Moved by the gift of fraternity, on September 19, 2025, the temporarily professed friars from several Jurisdictions in the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC) took part in an enriching online meeting. The participating friars came from the Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Colombia; the Province of St. Francis of Assisi in Brazil (São Paulo), together with the Santo António Common Novitiate in Cascavel, Paraná State; and the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), together with its post-novitiate house.
The initiative was promoted by the temporarily professed friars of the Custody of Colombia and was joyfully accepted by the friars from the other Jurisdictions, namely, those from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Central America, as well as the postulants and novices from the Custody of Colombia.
The meeting began with a pleasant surprise: the participation of the Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI. In his greeting, he urged us to continue creating environments of fraternity that promote unity, transcending any barriers that might emerge. Indeed, our Seraphic Father, St. Francis, invites us to be brothers at all times and in all circumstances. Immediately afterward, Friar Carlos presided over the meeting’s opening prayer and thanked the friars for inviting him.
Next, Friar Sidifredo de la Cruz CHAPARRO GUALDRÓN, president of the FALC Federation, addressed the participants and expressed his joy at attending this fraternal event. He mentioned that all the friars belong to a single, worldwide family, whose members meet, recognize, and welcome each another as brothers, especially at a time when some Custodies and Provinces are preparing for unification and need to create bonds of familiarity. Finally, he encouraged the friars to make proposals for the next FALC Assembly, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro in January of 2026. He concluded his address, saying: “This meeting could be the start of a fraternity for formation students within our Federation. It is my wish that you make proposals that the older friars might find difficult: creating a FALC Federation without borders, a Federation that has shared projects, fewer formation houses, and higher quality formation.”
After Friar Sidifredo’s address, the friars introduced themselves one by one. Franciscan songs and fraternal exchange began to flow, spontaneously and joyfully, through music, smiles, and conversation. A highlight of the gathering was the period dedicated to showcasing the most emblematic places of the countries represented. Here, the friars invited each other to explore new cultures and learn about the mission areas of each presence.
Finally, the friars offered a closing prayer and gave thanks for the meeting they had attended.
Let us take this opportunity to thank the friars whose support helped make this initiative a success: the formators of the participating Jurisdictions; Friars Sidifredo de la Cruz; Ramón Alfredo RUI UREÑA; and other friars who helped organize this event. May the Lord continue to inspire us to meet, recognize, and welcome one another as brothers, thus strengthening the bonds of family within the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.
Friar Alex Fernando PARADA PIRANÉQUE
