Visit of the Minister General to the Missionary Presence in Botswana

From the 24th-27th October 2025, the Minister General, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, made a fraternal visit to the missionary presence in Botswana, accompanied by two General Definitors: Br. Siphelele Gwanisheni and Br. Konrad Cholewa.

The Mission at the Kanamo Centre, located in the city of Mahalapye, represents the youngest missionary presence of the Order of Friars Minor. The friars of the Province of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Poland, Br. Cyriak Budzisz and Br. Albin Kolarski, serve there, who run the spiritual retreat and pilgrimage center and collaborate in the local parish pastoral care.

The meeting with the Minister General was also attended by the Provincial Minister of the Polish Province, Br. Egidiusz Włodarczyk, and the Provincial Vicar, Br. Arkadiusz Belcik, who carried out the canonical visit to the friars.

The entire visit had a deeply fraternal character, and its objective was to strengthen the friars in their missionary service, to jointly review the presence established so far, and to discern, together with the friars, the Immaculate Conception Province and the Diocese of Francistown, the possibilities for further collaboration and development of the Order in this country.

The friars participated in the Sunday Eucharist with the local community, during which Br. Massimo gave the homily. The exchange and interaction with the participants were truly wonderful.