On April 5-10, 2026, the Provincial Delegation in Paraguay, of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), conducted a five-day spiritual retreat. The event took place at the Natividad de María Friary in Guarambaré, Paraguay.
Eight friars from the Delegation took part. During this time of prayer, reflection, and fraternity, the friars were guided by the Assistant General for the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC), Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER.
The retreat began on Monday, April 5, with a welcome ceremony and a procession of the relic of St. Francis in Asunción. It was a particularly significant day thanks to the presence of St. Francis in the Delegation. The following day, the program continued in Guarambaré with lectures, prayer, and meditation.
During the retreat, Friar Rogério encouraged participants to use this time as an opportunity to examine their own concrete and real relationship with God and, from there, address the challenges of fraternal life. In this context, he pointed out three fundamental concerns: “lack of faith, the encounter that transforms, and the acceptance of change.” The spiritual retreat was inspired by the biblical passage in John 4:1-30, Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, and was also illuminated by various writings of St. Francis, which helped guide the reflections and discussions.
On the final day, the friars reflected together on the realities, challenges, and concerns facing the Delegation’s three friaries, located in Asunción, Areguá, and Guarambaré, in light of what was experienced during the retreat. It was a time marked by fraternity, sincere dialogue, and shared discernment, which provided concrete guidance for the future.
The friars of the Delegation thanked Friar Rogério for making himself available and for his support throughout this retreat and time of shared fraternity.
Friar Tomás Valerio ZEBALLO CABALLERO, Delegation in Paraguay
