On April 13-17, 2026, the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil, of the Province of Our Lady of the Angels in the USA (OLA), conducted a Pre-Chapter Assembly in preparation for its unification with the Province of St. Francis in Brazil. The Assembly took place at the Centro de Estudos do Sumaré (Sumaré Study Center), a spirituality center belonging to the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro. The Center is in the midst of the Tijuca Forest, offering an environment of tranquility, contact with nature, and spending fraternal time together.
The Assembly’s discussions and reflections were focused on fraternal, formational, financial, and pastoral matters. On the first day, Friar Sinivaldo TAVARES, OFM, presided over the opening Mass and led a reflection on the theme: “The 800th Anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis, the Process of Unification and the Creation of the Province of Our Lady of Aparecida.” Friar Sinivaldo, an expert in dogmatic theology, based his reflections on the Testament of St. Francis. He also shared some of his personal knowledge about the process of unifying Jurisdictions, since he experienced it himself. He invited the friars to think about the process of creating a new Province as a time of grace, a time appropriate for reflection and self-analysis, and for keeping hearts and minds open to what is new.
The Assistant General for the Federación América Latina Conventuale (FALC), Friar Rogério PEREIRA XAVIER, was also present at the Assembly. He helped guide the friars’ work and reflections. He explained that the process of unification is a time of kairós. His fraternal presence was even more valuable because he spoke from his own experience regarding similar processes he took part in.
The Assembly was a time of formation, reflection, discussion, and sharing among the friars. Its goal was to evaluate the work that both Jurisdictions had carried out, to welcome the new Province of Our Lady of Aparecida, and to plan for its future.
The Assembly was conducted in an atmosphere of fraternity, listening, openness, hospitality, and hope for the future. At the same time, the friars of both Jurisdictions got to know each other better through spontaneous encounters and spending fraternal time together.
The closing Mass was presided over by the Custos of the Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Brazil, Friar Carlos Roberto de Oliveira CHARLES. The Mass was a time to give thanks for the success of the Pre-Chapter Assembly and to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Custody and the Conventual Franciscan presence in Brazil and Latin America.
Friar Pacífico Alves SANTOS.
Friar Ricardo Elvis da Cruz ARRUDA BEZERRA
