On September 15-19, 2025, a fraternal meeting was held to discuss the unification of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Brazil (Brasilia) and the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro). Both Jurisdictions are members of the Federación América Latina Conventuales (FALC). The meeting took place at the São Francisco Retreat House, a Conventual Franciscan facility in Campo Largo, Paraná State, Brazil.
Those attending the meeting included the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Francis of Assisi, Friar José Hugo DA SILVA SANTOS; the Custos of the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception, Friar Carlos Roberto DE OLIVEIRA CHARLES; and most of the friars from both Jurisdictions. Also present were the Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI; the Assistant General for the FALC Federation, Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER; the Minister Provincial of the Mother Province of Our Lady of the Angels in the USA [OLA], Friar Michael HEINE; and an OLA Definitor, Friar Emanuel VASCONCELOS.
Meaningful discussions were held throughout the meeting about the future of these Jurisdictions in southeastern Brazil. The event took place in a cordial and fraternal atmosphere. Overall, the goal of the meeting was to promote dialogue, listening, and a shared desire to revitalize our Franciscan charism in Brazil.
The Custos of the Provincial Custody of Mary, Mother of Mercy in Central America, Friar Jorge Arturo DOBLES ULLOA, was also present and helped facilitate dialogue and reflection. He shared his own experience with the process of unifying the Conventual Franciscan presences in Central America.
Friar Jorge highlighted the challenges and joys of redefining the Jurisdictions. He emphasized the need for fraternal and financial transparency, the sharing of gifts and values, and personal and communal openness. He also spoke about restructuring presences, caring for each friar, formation, and being spiritually open to newness and the ever-present call of the Lord, so that each friar may live the Gospel.
On September 17, the Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis, numerous lay people and all the friars participated in a Mass presided over by the Minister General, Friar Carlos Alberto TROVARELLI. During the celebration, Friar Ytalo Weslley PEREIRA GUERRA professed his solemn vows at the São João Batista Church in Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil. Many friars interpreted this celebration as a symbolic gesture representing the culmination of the entire process of unification between the Jurisdictions. This process has been progressing over the last few years and will be fully realized next year with the celebration of the Provincial Chapter.
At the end of this fruitful meeting, all the friars decided upon the name of the future new Province. It will be named after the Patroness of Brazil: Our Lady of Aparecida!
May the God of Light bless all the friars who are preparing to be part of the future Province, and may the Mother of Jesus, the Virgin of Aparecida, guide our journey of unification and protect our precious Franciscan charismatic heritage in Terra Brasilis, the “Land of the Holy Cross”!
Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER, Assistant General for the FALC Federation
