Brazil, Minister General's visit to the Custody of Our Lady of the Seven Rejoicings

From the 21st-23rd April, 2026, the Franciscan Custody of Our Lady of the Seven Joys welcomed the visit of the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, accompanied by the Definitor General, Br. César Külkamp. The visitors arrived on the evening of April 21 in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, in west-central Brazil. 

The presence of the Minister General takes place at a moment of profound significance for the entire Franciscan Family: The Franciscan Jubilee Year, celebrated as a time of grace, remembrance and renewal of the charism left by St. Francis of Assisi. In this context, the visit acquired an even more special value, becoming a concrete sign of communion with the entire Order and of renewed zeal in living the Gospel. 

On April 22, important moments of communion and animation took place: meetings with aspirants, formators and friars with temporary vows, a meeting with all the friars of the Custody, and a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Br. César Külkamp. 

During the meeting with the friars, held at the Retreat House of the Convent of São Francisco in Campo Grande, the Minister General thanked them for their witness and missionary service carried out in the Custody, emphasising in particular their work in the health sectors, with indigenous peoples and in social service. In his exhortation, he encouraged the friars to cultivate a contemplative and fraternal life, where mission and contemplation go hand in hand. 

Br. Massimo also recalled Jesus Christ's invitation not to fear the challenges and changes of the present times, urging the friars to respond with hope and courage, faithfully living the evangelical counsels. In conclusion, he emphasised that the entire Order is united and close to the Custody in its pastoral and missionary service. 

On April 23, the solemn Eucharistic celebration took place in the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, during which the Minister General received the solemn profession of Br. Edson Roberto Andrade, Br. Maicon Custódio de Jesus da Silva and Br. Matiel de Oliveira Bernabé. 

After the celebration, a meeting was held with the Poor Clare Sisters of the Monastery of Santa Maria dos Anjos in Dourados and, in the afternoon, a meeting with the Council of the Custody and visits to the Health Centre of São Francisco and the Hospital of São Julião, run by the friars. 

The visit of the Minister General and the Definitor General was a privileged moment of listening, accompaniment, and closeness, in which the Order made itself present alongside the concrete reality of the Custody, encouraging the friars in fraternal life, in the care of formation and in the necessary renewal of life and evangelising activities. 

Br. Edson Roberto Andrade and Br. Aluísio Alves, OFM

Leia o artigo em português