On September 16-20, 2024, the “Rioplatense” Province of St. Anthony of Padua in Argentina-Uruguay conducted its annual spiritual retreat. The event took place in Florida, Uruguay.
Friar Bernardino HOSPITAL POSADA led the retreat. His reflection was centered on the theme of St. Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata and was entitled: “La Verna: An Experience of Following.”
Drawing on his great knowledge of the biblical and Franciscan sources that he used, his keen psychological insight, which stemmed from his work as a psychotherapist and as a leader of the summer courses of Father Luigi RULLA, SJ, and his experience accumulated from more than thirty years of service to the Order in Europe and Latin America (Rivotorto Course, Second Novitiate, etc.), Friar Bernardino strongly challenged the friars to rediscover the richness and beauty of their Franciscan vocation.
For the participating friars, the austerity of the meals and the silence observed had a remarkable effect. Even moments of leisure time and walks in the park contributed to carrying out the interior work prescribed in the texts and reflections that Friar Bernardino presented.
This retreat spent with the Lord Jesus had an atmosphere of joy and serenity, which was also noticeable during the liturgical celebrations.
The Minister Provincial, Friar Javier Alberto FONTANA, presided over the concluding Mass.
Friar Martín P. BITZER, Provincial Secretary
