From May 31 to June 4, 2021, the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico celebrated its 3rd Ordinary Provincial Chapter under the theme: “Most High, Glorious God, Enlighten the Darkness of My Heart.” The words come from St. Francis’ Prayer before the Crucifix. The Chapter was held at the María Inmaculada Friary in Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico.

The friars began the fraternal convocation by reflecting together on St. Francis’ Prayer before the Crucifix of San Damiano. Like the Poverello, they asked for true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, that each of them might understand the Lord’s holy and true command, for the Provincial fraternity and for the many ecclesial services that the friars offer, wherever they are present.
The confreres rejoiced having the fraternal presence of the Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI and the Assistant General of Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC), Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER. The next few days were characterized by prayer and fraternity. The friars reviewed their lives together in the light of the Gospel and of our charism. This led them to praise the Lord God for His goodness to them, but it also prepared them to accept their own weaknesses and defects, as well as those around them, recognizing those weaknesses as an opportunity for the Lord to continue to manifest his work of redemption.
Thursday, June 3, 2021, was the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. On that day, the friars were invited to continue to incarnate Christ and his mystery, in obedience to the Father and in the gift of themselves for humanity. The friars of the Province then invoked the gift of the Holy Spirit over the whole Jurisdiction, in order to help them choose a confrere to be a humble leader for Conventual presence in Mexico; a friar who could guide them in discerning and fulfilling of God’s will.
Friar Mario CASTRO MARTÍNEZ was re-elected for this service on the first ballot. The following day, he named his Definitory. The Definitors are Friar Cornelio MORÁN RÍOS, Vicar Provincial; Friar José Noé GASPARIANO PRIETO, Provincial Secretary; Friar Juan Valentín OROZCO ARENAS, Definitor; and Friar Rubén MARTÍNEZ HERNÁNDEZ, Definitor. Friar Oscar DÍAZ LÓPEZ was elected Provincial Econom and Friar Lorenzo ROJAS GUTIÉRREZ was elected Provincial Exactor.
We give thanks to God, who continues to trust us, his servants, and we ask for the intercession of Our Lady of Tepeyac (Guadalupe), so that we might continue to incarnate the Franciscan charism in Mexico.

Friar Guillermo AGUILAR ALAMILLA, Chapter Secretary