Franciscan friars in Sri Lanka renew their mission

In Kandy, Sri Lanka, from 27 to 29 April, the friars of the Saint Joseph Vaz Foundation gathered for the Foundation Assembly, a time of prayer and discernment that reaffirmed their desire to live the Gospel in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi.

With the motto “Rebuilding evangelical fraternity; pilgrims of hope in the spirit of the Transitus of Saint Francis,” the assembly brought together the friars of the Foundation, dependent on the Province of Saint Peter Baptist (Philippines), to reflect on fraternal life and mission within the context of a minority Church. The opening Eucharistic celebration placed the meeting within the horizon of the Eighth Centenary of the Transitus of Saint Francis, as a concrete invitation to begin again in conversion and fidelity to the Gospel.

Over the days of work, the friars shared with simplicity the reality of their fraternity, acknowledging gifts and challenges. A conviction emerged strongly in the dialogue: Franciscan identity is sustained first of all by being brothers, even before what they do. From this certainty, the need to strengthen community life was emphasized, so that the houses do not become merely functional places to live, without a chosen and carefully tended fraternity. For this reason, the brothers renewed their commitment to common prayer, shared life, and regular fraternal meetings in the house as concrete expressions of the vocation they have received.

The assembly also addressed with realism the question of vocations and formation. In the face of difficulties in attracting and accompanying new candidates, the urgency was noted of proposing processes that form young people in life, faith, and discipleship, with solid accompaniment. Along these lines, the restructuring of the aspirants’ program was approved, reshaping it as a broader pastoral initiative for young people, centered on human, Christian, and Franciscan formation, without presuming an immediate choice of consecrated life. The importance of clearer discernment criteria, appropriate safeguarding measures, and the strengthening of the formation team was also underlined.

Regarding mission, the friars recognized the need for a common horizon that helps them live apostolic presence as a fraternity, and not merely as the sum of personal initiatives. With this intention, the priority of closeness to the poor and to those who live on the margins was reaffirmed, and the possibility of reopening missionary presences was considered. Interreligious dialogue was also valued as a significant dimension of the Franciscan presence in Sri Lanka. The discernment included collaboration with Surol, in order to seek greater juridical clarity and better alignment with the Foundation’s proper mission.

Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) was recognized not as a separate area, but as a constitutive dimension of Franciscan life. The assembly highlighted the importance of integrating justice, inclusion, and participation into formation, fraternal life, and mission, especially where communities are more exposed to poverty and exclusion.

Concerning internal organization, the friars chose to maintain the current structure of the Foundation, remaining available to the guidance of the Province and considering the support of a Provincial Delegate. At the same time, concrete measures of transparency and accountability were defined, including a unified financial system, periodic reports, and a stable monthly allocation for the brothers.

The Foundation Assembly concluded with the approval of twenty resolutions on formation, mission, JPIC, and governance, most of them supported unanimously. In the final message, the Provincial Minister and President of the assembly, Fr. Lino Gregorio V. Redoblado, OFM, urged the brothers to welcome the centenary of the Transitus of Saint Francis as a true time of renewal. He said “This is not simply a commemoration, but a call to conversion; to begin again with renewed vigor,” . He added: “Fraternal life is our first witness; we must choose one another each day, with patience, forgiveness, and hope.”

The friars returned to their communities with gratitude for a shared journey that, beyond the topics discussed, was experienced as a time of grace. With clearer direction and strengthened unity, the Saint Joseph Vaz Foundation looks to the future with hope, committed to living the Gospel with greater authenticity as brothers and missionaries in Sri Lanka.

Read the final statement