The São Francisco de Assis Parish and Friary, located in the Rio Comprido neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, began a second series of lectures on the theme, “The World of St. Francis of Assisi.”
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the San Francesco d’Assisi Parish Church in Rio Comprido, the friars organized a free mini-course in order to help the faithful better understand the history and life of St. Francis of Assisi. The lectures take place every fifteen days. By attending them, many people are able to expand their knowledge of the faith, through the evangelical journey of St. Francis of Assisi.
On April 23, 2024, Friar Ronaldo GOMES DA SILVA gave a lecture on “Understanding Medieval Mysticism.” On May 7, Professor Manuel ROLPH DE VIVEIROS CABECEIRAS from the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Antiquity at the nearby Federal Fluminense University gave a lecture on “St. Francis as the First Catholic Saint to Receive the Sacred Stigmata.”
On May 21, Friar Carlos Roberto de Oliveira CHARLES gave a lecture on “The Meaning of the Stigmata in Medieval and Modern Franciscan Spirituality.”
The course will close in June of 2024 with the following program: On June 4, Friar Décio PIRES will give a lecture on “The Stigmata of St. Francis in the Light of the Theology of St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, 2:20.” On June 18, Professor Livia Lindóia PAES BARRETO from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro will give a reflection on “Francis Bearing the Stigmata as a Reflection of Christ and a Reflection of Those Who Suffer.”
Friar Willian Gomes MENDONÇA, Custodial Secretary
