On November 11, 2023, a National Assembly of the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.) was held in the San José Obrero Parish in Guanare, Venezuela. The M.I. International President, Miquel BORDAS PRÓSZYNSKI, presided. He was accompanied by the Delegate of the Minister General for the Assistance of the M.I., Friar Gilson Miguel NUNES and the Custos of the Provincial Custody of Our Lady of Coromoto in Venezuela, Franklin DURÁN ZAMBRANO.
One hundred and seven active M.I. members in Venezuela attended the Assembly. They came from the various cities where this lay association exists, namely, Caracas, Valencia, Guanare, Barinas and Pueblo Llano. Prior to this greatly important event for the Custody, the International President, Miguel BORDAS, arrived in Venezuela on November 7, and together with Friar Gilson Miguel NUNES, visited the M.I. communities in those cities in order to meet and encourage all the Militia members who have set off on this beautiful path of Marian spirituality.
During the Assembly, the members of the M.I. National Council were elected. They are Friar José Luis AVENDAÑO MONSALVE, President; José CONTRERAS, Vice President; Adriana LANNI, Secretary; Jeannette MITCHELL, First Council Member, Dielen LANDAETA, Second Council Member and Sonia CONDE, Third Council Member. M.I. Auditors or Delegates were elected for each locality, namely, Jhonelmi GARRIDO for Guanare; Marina PRADA for Barinas; and Zenaida RODRÍGUEZ for Valencia.
The event concluded with Mass presided over by the Most Reverend Owaldo Enrique ARAQUE VALERIO, Bishop of Guanare. During the Mass, Friar Peter A. BUONAMASSA was honored for his tireless work done to benefit the M.I. in Venezuela. After the Mass, a farewell dinner was provided as a gesture of hospitality and gratitude for the visiting brothers from the International level of the M.I.
Friar Juan MARTÍNEZ CANELÓN, Custodial Secretary