Missionary Experience in the International Fraternities of the Amazon

Nine post-novice friars participated in the missionary formation program in the Amazon from July 25 to October 5, 2024. They are: Br. André Martins, from the Province of Rio de Janeiro - Espirito Santo (Brazil); Br. Daniel Viera - from the Province of Ceará- Piauí (Brazil); Br. Daniel Bastos, from the Province of Maranhão-Pará-Amapá (Brazil); Br. Eduardo Rufasto from the Province of Peru; Br. Jhonaiker Andrade from the Custody of Venezuela; Br. Kelvin Robto from the Province of Central Brazil; Br. Ricardo Silva from the Province of Colombia; Br. Roy Pérez from the Custody of Nicaragua-Panamá- Costa Rica; and Br. Rubenil Oliveira from the Custody of Brazil Oeste.

The two St. Lawrence of Brindisi International Fraternities (Leticia - Colombia and Benjamin Costant - Brazil) opened their doors once again to welcome these brothers, providing  for them a wonderful sense of belonging as they shared in their fraternity and in their life of prayer. They collaborated with the work of the friars and shared in their mission. This year they were visited by the General Minister, Br. Roberto Genuin, who celebrated the opening Mass. Also with him was Brother Silvio de Almeida, Vicar General and advisor for the CCB.

They stayed a full month in the fraternity of Leticia (Colombia), then went to the fraternity of Belém dos Solimões, a completely indigenous Capuchin parish, where they stayed for a very intense week, and went for another month to the fraternity of Benjamin Constant. Each week one of the local friars led a workshop with them on important themes for mission, such as: the Franciscan missionary charism; mission and fraternity (dialogue); mission and prayer; mission and minority (economy); mission and service to the people; mission and inculturation; mission and JPIC; and, In Belém dos Solimões, they reflected on the main missionary challenges in the Amazon.

On weekends the post novices were accompanied by local friars to some of the local indigenous communities to experience and practice mission. They were in some communities from Colombia, some from Peru and some from the Brazilian Amazon. These were demanding situations, however, which made a very positive impression on our friars by way of the welcome they received, the joy and simplicity they experienced, the food they shared and the conditions they were met with.

For the last week the General Secretary for Missionary Evangelization and Cooperation, Br. Mariosvaldo Florentino, was present. He worked with the post novices on the Franciscan Theology of Mission, did the evaluation of the meeting with them and talked individually with each of them, as well as with each brother of the International Fraternities. All felt a deep gratitude for what they experienced during these two months. Gratitude to the Order for the opportunity, to their superiors for the trust, to the local friars for their welcome and commitment, and to the local communities who generously received them.