The year 2025 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the first missionary experience in Corozal, Colombia. Thanks to this initiative, dozens of people of all ages have been able to share in the mission of the Conventual Franciscan friars, contributing their gifts to spread faith while also receiving graces that have changed their own lives.
On January 18, 2025, the anniversary brought together about twenty lay missionaries at the San Buenaventura Friary in Madrid, a presence of the Province of Our Lady of Montserrat in Spain. The missionaries shared experiences and reminisced about significant moments. Various initiatives from the past years were highlighted through stories and photographs, illustrating how the Gospel was made flesh in the people of Corozal and transformed their lives. The Santa Clara Church in Corozal, and the social work that bears its name, are proof of this. One very touching moment was the live video conference with the friars in Corozal. They were able to express their gratitude to the lay missionaries and friars in Spain, recounting experiences and anecdotes of all kinds. In this sense, Jesus Christ was at the center of the day, which began with a prayer and ended with Mass.
This missionary day was led by Friar Jordi ALCARAZ CUENCA, the Provincial Delegate for Mission Animation and for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation for the Province of Spain. Friar Dariusz MAZUREK, the Secretary General of the General Secretariat for Mission Animation (SGAM), presented an overview on Conventual Franciscan missions around the world.
During the Mass, the Minister Provincial, Friar Juan Antonio ADÁNEZ SILVÁN, preached the Gospel about the wedding at Cana. This Gospel was very appropriate, because it reminded us that Jesus Christ has transformed, like water into wine, the lives of thousands of people in the last fifteen years.
Juan TALTAVULL, lay missionary