On June 1-5 and June 8-12, 2026, the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico conducted its annual spiritual retreat in two sessions. The sessions were held at the María Inmaculada Friary and Formation House in Cuautitlán Izcalli, State of Mexico, Mexico.
Having the retreat in two sessions allowed more friars to participate while ensuring the continued pastoral care of the communities entrusted to the Province.
The retreat was centered on prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal, offering each friar an opportunity to deepen his Franciscan vocation and strengthen his daily commitment to following Christ.
Friar Fausto de Jesús RAMÍREZ ROSARIO, OFM Conv., led the meditations during the first session. During the second session, Friar Gustavo Jesús CASTILLO INFANTE, OFM, of the Province of Saints Francis and James of Jalisco, gave a lecture on: “The Importance of the Charism in My Life and in Today’s World.”
During his lecture, Friar Gustavo encouraged the friars to explore the richness of the Franciscan charism and its relevance in responding to the challenges of contemporary society. He focused particularly on the Rule and on practical ways to live out and bear witness to the charism in today’s social, cultural, and ecclesial setting.
Drawing on numerous experiences and anecdotes, Friar Gustavo engaged the participants using a dynamic and interactive approach that fostered dialogue and reflection on various aspects of Franciscan life.
One of the main results of the retreat was a renewed appreciation for the enduring relevance of the charism of St. Francis. Eight hundred years after his transitus to the Father, Francis’ legacy continues to make a valuable contribution to today’s world through the concrete witness of every friar.
The spiritual retreat also provided a special opportunity to strengthen fraternity within the Province by fostering personal encounters, fraternal discussions, and a renewed commitment to proclaim the Gospel throughout Mexico in the spirit of St. Francis.
Friar Jorge HERNÁNDEZ DE LUNA
