On May 22-26, 2023, the friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico celebrated their Extraordinary Chapter. The Chapter was conducted in the compound of the María Inmaculada Friary in Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico. The friary also serves as a post-novitiate formation house for theology students.
After the 2021 Ordinary Provincial Chapter, several points remained that needed to be reworked. It was decided to resolve them at the Intermediate Chapter, particularly the final revision and approval of the Provincial Statutes, which are now completed and ready to be sent to the General Government for revision. The Provincial Formation Directory and Guidelines for the Use of New Media were also presented. These texts have been revised, but they need further refinement. Friars have already been chosen to work on them.
Other points to be worked on were less complicated, as they were items that had already been completed or that did not correspond with the work of the Chapter or require a decision from the Chapter, such as, the report on the new structures of the Provincial Curia and the protocols or guidelines regarding the protection of minors and vulnerable adults. The Capitulars discussed financial matters and prayed for their deceased confreres. In short, there was a need to review the path of the Province, and the Chapter was an excellent opportunity to do so. As always, meeting with the friars was a source of great joy.
Some friars were absent and some were greatly missed, including Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER, the Assistant General for the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC), who had to participate online due to health reasons. One day during the Chapter, something curious occurred. After a heavy rain, the electricity went out and since most of the Capitulars had documents that had to be processed in digital format, they didn’t know what to do! Fortunately, when it was time to resume work, the power came back on and the Chapter continued normally. Those are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the modern world.
We ask God to continue to guide the Province under the loving protection of our Heavenly Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Friar Jorge HERNÁNDEZ DE LUNA
