Building on their inaugural gathering in Brazil two years ago, the Capuchins of North and South America reunited for a week in Colombia, Feb. 4-11, to promote fraternal collaboration, formation, and mission.

The 50 friars who came to Bogotá held plenary and small-group discussions around the Capuchin charisms and their intersection with our apostolic activities. They discussed the initial and continuing formation of friars. They held conversations about the St. Lawrence of Brindisi fraternities, the Order’s project to establish intentional, international communities in mission fields. By the end of the week, they approved statutes in these and other areas to bring to the general chapter of the Order in August. 

Each day, the friars made an offering of their prayers: for recently deceased brothers, for brothers who recently professed perpetual vows, for the Capuchin Poor Clare sisters, and for our sick or elderly brothers.

Representing our Province at the gathering were Fr. Robert Abbatiello, provincial minister; Br. Celestino Arias, member of the general council of the order; Br. James Donegan, a provincial councilor and mission director; and post-novice Br. Leo Rojas, who comes from Venezuela. The next, third, pan-American gathering will take place in North America in 2027.