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Friars from Latin America Discuss
what it Means to be Franciscan
Friars met in Alajuela, Costa Rica to discuss the identity
of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual
If we never question ourselves about who we are, what we are doing, and what we want to do then we might just drift through life without making a difference and perhaps even without living up to personal standards that we have claimed to espouse. A bit of honest introspection once in a while helps all of us to be better people.
A friar’s life is one of ministry and prayer. It is more often than not also a very busy life, involving such activities as organizational meetings, travel, teaching, working at soup kitchens, offering pastoral care, helping immigrants and refugees with the handling of a country’s bureaucracy and so on. Taking some time out of this schedule to meet with other friars and discuss the Order, which one embodies, is a very helpful activity that if done correctly only sharpens an individual friar’s resolve to live life the Franciscan way.
Downtown Alajuela, Costa Rica
When a few months ago, friars from Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina gathered in Alajuela, Costa Rica, they were all ready to discuss three overarching questions pertaining to themselves and their Conventual Franciscan Order. These questions were: “Who are we? Where are we?” and “Where are we going?”
No matter how many centuries go by Franciscan values
of love for God and service to others will always be pertinent
The Minister General of the Conventual Franciscans – Friar Marco Tasca - and the Assistant General for Formation – Friar Lindor Tofful – also took part in the lively discussions. At their heart was the spirit of St. Francis. The Order of Friars Minor Conventual must adapt to the times, but its deep-seeded Franciscan values are eternal. No matter what happens in the world, the Franciscans will always stand up for and help the disadvantaged. Their values have stood the test of time for eight centuries and will continue to motivate not only the friars but all citizens of the world for centuries to come.
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