Capuchin Missionary Fraternities in the Heart of the Amazon
1. Introduction.
Beginning in 2010, and with some growing intensity during the last six-year
term, there was a discussion of an interprovincial fraternity in the Amazon
where missionary work, especially dedicated to the indigenous people, could be
carried out. The proposal was discussed in several meetings without reaching a
concrete plan.
In the beginning of the present six-year term, our Minister General
Roberto Genuin proposed the following in his programmatic letter “Let us give
thanks to the Lord!":
In view of the positive results and the encouragement of the Chapter,
the General Council wishes to study the possibility of starting an
intercultural fraternity in America similar to those of the project Fraternities
for Europe. We believe that it can be a valid instrument to bring a renewed
energy to other circumscriptions outside the territorial limits of the old
continent. Perhaps, in order to overcome the geographical designation and
taking as a reference this jubilee year dedicated to St. Lawrence of Brindisi -
a man who knew how to admirably combine prolonged prayer with cultural
preparation and a tireless commitment to effectively implement and vigorously
advance the Order - it has been thought to call the project, no longer
"Fraternities for Europe" but "Fraternity of St. Lawrence of
Brindisi”. (# 51)
2. What are the Saint Lawrence
of Brindisi Fraternities?
As the result of a meeting held in Fatima in December 2014, Brother
Mauro Jöhri defined these fraternities as follows:
"We want to try a new path, establishing intercultural
fraternities, which in the light of the Gospel and our Constitutions live
prayer, fraternal life and mission in an authentic and coherent way. The
resource of interculturality will be the witness that brothers and sisters from
different cultures, if they look to Christ present among them, can live, give
themselves and work together. We are sustained by the certainty that the
charism of Francis of Assisi, lived and witnessed, still has so much to say and
communicate to the men and women of our time.”
"I wish to see the emergence of fraternities that live a pure and
profound faith, where the quality of fraternal relations becomes a witness to
God's Love, and a place of welcome capable of generating proposals for the following
the Lord Jesus. We want to evangelize through our daily life, and we want to do
it in communion with the local Churches and with ecclesial realities wherever
the Lord grants us to be present."(Fr. Mauro Jöhri-Fraternities for
Europe-28/01/2015).
3. Charismatic characteristics of the Saint Lawrence of Brindisi Fraternities
These fraternities must live with great intensity: fraternal life,
minority, prayer and the apostolate. We describe below some charismatic
characteristics of these international fraternities:
A. On the value of fraternal life:
Brothers must be convinced that fraternal life is foundational for our
Capuchin life and also that it is our first apostolate. We must really be
brothers: loving one another, caring for one another, serving one another,
attending to one another, enjoying being among one another. For this reason, an
atmosphere of trust, joy, sensitivity, acceptance, dialogue and forgiveness
must be created. This is nothing more than living the Gospel and if we want to
evangelize we must first dispose ourselves to experience it at home.
Therefore, it will be very important for these fraternities to be
animated by a fraternal life of quality, capable of generating a good
atmosphere: during meals, moments of recreation, birthday celebrations, a walk,
nights or day of fraternity, frequent moments in which all the brothers of the
fraternity (and only them) spend time together.
It is very important to have the local chapter once a month, as an
occasion conducive for formation, prayer, review of life, sharing of feelings, planning
and evaluation of activities, etc.
It will also be very important that the brothers dedicate time to get
to know each other, to listen to one another: their family life, vocational stories,
dreams and frustrations, expectations for the fraternity. Fraternal
relationships are greatly consolidated when we experience together moments of
pain and difficulty as true brothers or even as “mothers”—especially, for
example, in moments of illness, of family difficulty (illness of parents or
close relatives, grief, crisis... listening, praying together...), in some moments
of conflict or crisis.
The guardian for each of these fraternities will be a figure of
central importance so that he may be a true stimulator of fraternal life and a
promoter of relationship between the different fraternities. Therefore, in
order to appoint the right person, it will be very important that the major
superior discerns his choice very carefully, involving also the general
councilor of the area.
B. On the value of minority.
Francis drew much of his inspirations from the mystery of the Incarnation
to encourage himself towards minority. This value must also be very present in
our lives so as not to disfigure our own Franciscan identity. In minority, we
find the sum of poverty with humility, and it is related to sobriety,
simplicity, essentiality, transparency.
Concrete expressions of minority must be cultivated in these
fraternities, such as assuming with joy and zeal the menial tasks of the house,
and avoiding as much as possible having employees to do the things that are
proper to the "lesser ones." It gets weird when we hire people to do
the menial tasks in our houses.
It should be promoted: simplicity in the things we have and use,
sobriety in the food— which should be good, sufficient, healthy, but at the
same time simple and inspired by the foods that the local people eat. We cannot
ordinarily eat in our homes what is not proper to the place. This would be a lack of incarnation.
On some feast day, it will certainly be permissible to “import".
It is important to keep the economy transparent and attentive to the
authentic needs of the brothers. The treasurers must see themselves as servants
of the fraternity and nothing else, and everyone must give with confidence
everything they receive. Fraternity must creatively seek to be productive: we
could say that it must try to become self-sufficient in the ordinary things, in
light of what is possible within this specific context of missionary reality.
Of course, when there is a group of brothers in formation, the costs will be
higher and other subsidies will be available.
The love of work is undoubtedly an important part of our spirituality.
Work is a grace. The ordinary way of our life is that we work for what we “eat,”
and also for charity. If we are healthy and capable we must reject the idea of
being sustained by others. We live by the work of our hands and when we find
ourselves in need we turn to the table of the Lord. Let us not forget that we
are a mendicant order. And the fact that even simple people collaborate with us
financially helps us to become aware of our vocation.
Moreover, the use of our religious habit, according to our
Constitutions, is a sign of minority and poverty. Although its continuous use
is not obligatory, it is without a doubt a strong sign of our consecration and
helps us to consolidate our identity. In some moments of fraternal life, such
as in prayer or pastoral care, it could be an important sign of our love for
our vocation, and it proves itself as an excellent promoter of vocations.
C. On the value of the life of prayer.
According to the ideal of St. Francis, prayer must have priority in
our life, nothing must come before it—and this is how we want to live in each
of these fraternities. We desire that a good portion of our time be spent in
fraternity with the Lord, tasting His presence, being fed by His Word, being
filled with His grace. In other words, this entails a significant amount of time.
Prayer cannot be relegated to the spare time we may have when we are free from other
activities. Rather, the other activities
should occupy the spare time when we are not at prayer (otherwise, it would not
be a priority). Prayer should not be a burden, an obligation, but a grace, a
delight—so it should not be set aside for the sake of other things, but its
priority should be lived with great delight.
The Eucharist must be the source and summit of fraternal life. Ordinarily,
it must be celebrated every day in the presence of all the brothers of the
fraternity, in the chapel of the fraternity or elsewhere, with or without the
participation of other faithful, even if some brother will partake in another Eucharistic
Celebration for pastoral reasons. This fraternal Eucharist, the sacrament of
unity, celebrated by all brothers daily, is the foundation of our fraternity
and it is what helps us to be one body and one soul. This Eucharistic
Celebration must be lived with a lot of enthusiasm: preparing what is needed so
that participation [in these Celebrations] is active, conscious and fruitful.
The liturgy of the hours, which spreads the delightful dialogue
with the Lord throughout the different times of the day, should mark the rhythm
of the fraternity and be a reason for joy and commitment. All of us, through
our religious profession, make the commitment to pray it integrally, in
fraternity, and when this is not possible, each one must pray it even alone. As
far as possible, the fraternity should celebrate all the hours (office of
readings, lauds, one of the small hours, vespers and compline). But, according
to the Constitutions, lauds and vespers cannot be negotiated—that is, the fraternity
must find a way to celebrate them ordinarily in common, and also as many of the
other hours as possible. Here the criterion is reversed: not the minimum
required, but the maximum possible.
Mental prayer, meditation or contemplation. The Capuchin tradition was always very jealous of this time of
silence lived generally in common in the choir, and completed in the rooms.
According to our Constitutions this time should be at least one hour a day.
Sometimes, we are so agitated that it is difficult for us to be faithful to
this time of prayer, but it is important for us to be patient and grow in this commitment.
This time of prayer may be done in two moments of the day. Nonetheless, experience tells us that it is
better to do it together with the brothers in the chapel. We cannot define
ourselves as contemplatives if we do not have this daily experience. Even
though we are overwhelmed with apostolic work, this time remains essential for
us to be able to work well.
In addition to all this, it is also very important that the brothers
cultivate some devotional prayer which, in light of the opportunities, may
be lived in fraternity, but not as a substitution to the other forms of prayer
(Mass, liturgy of the hours or meditation). Rather, as something more that is
added.
D. On the value of the apostolate.
The apostolate is an integral and necessary part of our Capuchin life.
We have been called, consecrated, and sent in order to serve. If our life is
not spent in the service of the Church, and especially in the service of those
who suffer, it has no meaning. It is important that we understand that the
apostolate is not our priority, that is, it is not what comes first. Nonetheless, this does not mean that we can
live without it. This would be absurd.
Since we have been called to live out our mission as lesser brothers,
our apostolate must be characterized by our way of being—our way of life. The
Church expects from us Capuchins a specific way collaborating, an
evangelization based on our charism, an apostolic work that has our identifying
mark. The Church does not “want” us to do the very same thing that a diocesan priest,
or another missionary, is able to accomplish well.
That is why, when exercising our apostolic activity, it is important for
us to remember that we are brothers. It is from the fraternity that we
serve. In the fraternity we discern, commit, work and evaluate. It is
fundamental that we work together; everything we do must be an expression of
our fraternal life. We are not a society of apostolic life, that is, of
“pastoralists” who live together only to make some things easier—but who in
their apostolic work each individual does the best he can, and each does his
own thing. (To be clear: it is not that those who live in such a way do it
badly; on the contrary, there is much merit, but we as Capuchins must not live in
such a way). We are and want to be an apostolic fraternity, that is,
transformed men who like to work together as a team, overcoming competitions,
jealousy and personalistic protagonisms…
Nonetheless, we are not only brothers, we are also minors, lesser
ones. In other words, we prefer to be in the last
place; we chose to do what others do not want to do; we desire to go out to
meet the "lepers" so that they may heal us and turn into sweetness
what in the eyes of the world is bitter; we strive to go and meet those who have
fallen away from God. We have no need to have a place where we can say “I'm the
one in charge here.”
It is very important that we keep in mind who we are when working on
our pastoral plan or our missionary project. Each fraternity must discover the
specific pastoral service that God wants from us Capuchins there, a project
that does not depend so much on specific qualities or taste of a certain
brother who happens to be there at this time—but rather one which could be
suited to any Capuchin brother who comes and desires to join. In other words, it must be a project that, if
one brother leaves, it can still move forward. We do not want to despise the
personal gifts of each brother, which are certainly a wealth and surely can be
of great help—but everything needs to unfold as a project for the whole group,
as a fraternity.
Another very important aspect for our pastoral plan is to accompany
the Church, to be attentive to the requests from the bishops—always and in so
far as they do not attempt to lead us astray from our charism. It is the role
of the bishops to help us to be faithful to the charism that was approved by
the Church.
It is very important for these fraternities to have a strong enthusiasm
for promoting vocations. Namely, that they pray for vocations and are attentive
to arouse a desire for vocational discernment in the young people with whom
they will be in contact; that they accompany them vividly in their discernment,
while giving them the possibility of sharing in our life. At the right moment
the vocations will be sent to the corresponding circumscription.
4. Where will these St. Lawrence
of Brindisi Fraternities be located in Amazonia?
There will be two international fraternities on the triple border
between Brazil, Colombia and Peru, in the cities of Benjamin Constant (Brazil)
and Leticia (Colombia), where we already have fraternities.
5. What will be its purpose?
Aside from living out the proposed way of life for the St. Lawrence of
Brindisi International Fraternities in such a particular context—meaningful and
missionary—these fraternities also should be a training center that could
offer, especially to the post-novices and also to others who may so desire, the
opportunity of a theoretical and practical formation on the missionary ideal in
our Capuchin Order. (Fr. Roberto Genuin, Minister General. Prot. No.
000240/20).
Therefore, both fraternities will share this same and only goal, and both
should be a significant presence of the Capuchin charism in the Amazon
(fraternal, minor, contemplative and apostolic), which will serve as a school
of life and mission for the brothers who are in formation and desire this experience—especially,
for the brothers who are completing their initial formation.
6. General and common
characteristics of the two fraternities
A. Regarding the composition of the number of brothers, the
following is recommended:
·
There must be at
least 4 stable brothers in each fraternity (even better if they are 5), so that
if any brother has to be absent for some reason or go on vacation, it does not
cease to be a fraternity.
·
Among these brothers, at least 2 of them must
be from the local circumscription, one from Peru, and the others may be brothers
from any other circumscription of the Order—in possession of a contract of
fraternal collaboration prepared for this project, signed by the major
superiors involved, and with the approval of the Minister General.
B. Regarding languages, it will be very important to have in
Benjamin Constant at least one Spanish-speaking brother and in Leticia at least
one Portuguese-speaking brother. This bilingualism seems to be a requirement also
because of the location of both fraternities:
·
For Benjamin
Constant, which is located in Brazil, there are many communities (indigenous
and "riberinhas") which we are also called to attend pastorally in
Peru. These communities are found across
the other side of the river “Islandia,” which is in Peru, and along the border
between the two countries, marked by the large river Yavari.
·
Leticia, which is
in Colombia, is a neighboring town to Tabatingua, which is in Brazil. These two cities are across one another, and
are separated by a street. Moreover, on
the other side of the river, we find Santa Rosa (Peru) with many communities
that are greatly underserved. It would be very important for the mission of
this fraternity to discover an apostolate that is able to overcome these territorial
borders.
7. The relationship
between the two fraternities:
Both fraternities are under the care of the local major superior responsible
for the territory in which they are located. Nonetheless, they are bonded together by a program
in common of mutual help, to encourage one another in the observance of the
charismatic elements of our life and to work together in the program of
missionary formation. Therefore, they
will need take into account the following points to maintain a relationship and
project in common:
·
they must hold at
least one monthly meeting, lasting a full day, with the participation of all
the brothers: it may be a chapter of formation, a day of retreat, a sharing of missionary
services, and also commemorations of birthdays or other events.
·
the location of
these meetings may be alternated between the two fraternities, unless there is
a particular reason or a situation that would require otherwise.
·
there is to be a
planning meeting, at the beginning of each year, to plan for the logistics (the
dates, location, and themes) for these fraternal meetings for the whole
year. Nonetheless, nothing prevents that, in
addition to the ordinary monthly meetings, an extraordinary meeting could be take
place for some other reason.
·
the guardians
should encourage a fruitful relationship between all the members of the two
fraternities, and the occasions in which the two fraternities get together
should be seen and lived as a pleasant opportunity for fraternal living.
·
accessible and
effective means of communication between all members of the two fraternities
must be in created and available, such as a group on social media or other means
of communication.
·
it will be
important that both fraternities discuss how each would like to structure the
various elements of our daily life, such as the schedule of the house
(horarium), as well as the many other practical things so that, as much as
possible, both fraternities could be similar.
This must be done keeping in mind the groups of friars that will be involved
in formation, so that there will be no problems or gaps, thus clearly showing
that both fraternities share in the one and same motivation.
·
each fraternity
will have its own project of missionary apostolate. Nonetheless, it is important to promote some
pastoral activities in common throughout year, involving all the brothers of
both fraternities as a concrete expression of our fraternal way of serving the
Church.
·
the brothers in
each fraternity must know relatively well the pastoral service taking place in
the other fraternity, so that it would not be a problem to cover for the
brothers from the other fraternity when the need arises and they may be absent due
to activities of the circumscription: annual retreat, assembly…
8. Characteristics of the
brothers for these fraternities.
It is very important for the brothers who are going to make up these
fraternities that they are brothers who are enthusiastic for the Capuchin
vocation. These brothers must: enjoy living
and working in fraternity; be willing to dialogue, plan and evaluate; be enthusiastic
and desirous for a life of prayer as is our ideal; have no problem with
fraternal services and with a simple lifestyle; express love for the
apostolate, evangelization and mission; have adequate physical health. It is
not the case that these brothers must be perfect. Rather, they need to be brothers who feel no
resistance to what is proper to the way of life for these St. Lawrence of
Brindisi International Fraternities, and who are desirous of growing in their
Capuchin vocation through this experience.
It is also very important that the brothers who will participate in this
project to be attentive to the fact that the building of this authentic
Capuchin presence must be done with an Amazonian face. Certainly, our Capuchins
way of life can be enriched with many new expressions learned from the ancient
cultures that live there. Therefore, in
a particular way the “new” brothers who are going to live there must be
prepared for this experience—especially those who will come from other
realities: to study something of the culture, the local church, inculturation,
interreligious dialogue, etc. In a word: they must be more willing to learn
than to teach…
9. Mission of the major
superior of the circumscription in his territory
Each fraternity will be animated by the major superior of the
territorial circumscription, that is, it will be under his responsibility like
all the other fraternities of the province. Nonetheless, he must take into
account the particularity of these international fraternities:
·
There is a common
project between the two fraternities, which he must guard, promote and respect.
·
The importance of
dialogue with the major superior of the provinces of origin and also with the
General Councilor of the area, especially regarding possible decisions that
need to be made.
·
The major superior
must visit the fraternity at least twice, and if possible one of these visits could
take place together with the major superior of the province of origin. He must visit both fraternities and send a
report to the General Councilors of the area.
·
It is very
important that the major superior does not think that the international
fraternity is a project of the General Curia and, consequently, refrains from
his responsibilities.
·
Although the
project depends on the major superiors of the local territorial circumscription,
the General Curia (especially through its Secretariats) will offer
accompaniment on specific issues such as: the quality of the make-up of the
fraternity, the quality of the formation programs offered, and the ongoing
collaboration between fraternities.
10. The fraternal project of
each fraternity and the missionary formation project
In the year 2022, the brothers who will make up these fraternities
will dedicate themselves to living our Capuchin life intensely, seeking to
consolidate fraternal life, minority and the life of prayer. Certainly, this lifestyle requires a change
of mindset, rethinking options, reviewing one’s priorities—but that is exactly
why it is an "ideal of life." In other words, it is something that
stimulates, moves, and pushes us forward. During this time period, the “newly
arrived” brothers will also learn about the apostolic work currently being done
there, while seeking to approach it with openness and respect for individuals,
apostolic groups and indigenous communities. This is not a time to make changes
or modifications, but to get acquainted, dialogue and understand what is being
done there, and to get to know the local people, their culture, their faith.
Also, during this first year, the brothers will develop in conjunction
with the General Secretariats a course in missionary formation for all post-novices
of the Americas. Moreover, this course
will be also available for the other brothers from any part of the world who
wish to spend a period of ongoing formation that is missionary and also
charismatic. This is will come to
fruition ad experimentum in the year 2023.
In their second year, the brothers will begin to elaborate a new pastoral
missionary project that fits our Capuchin lifestyle and the “St. Lawrence of
Brindisi” International Fraternities. The following will be taken into account:
·
The recommendations
and directives of Pope Francis in the exhortation "Dear Amazonia".
·
The
recommendations and directives of Amazonian Ecclesial Conference;
·
The recommendations
and directives of the local bishops, according to the diocesan pastoral plan.
·
Knowledge of the recommendations
from the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM) in order for us to discover
what specific contributions we can make to this important project.
·
Ability to
participate in inter-congregational initiatives that are promoted in the area.
We desire, first of all, to live our Capuchin life intensely. And we hope
that the formandi and the brothers who will experience the Capuchin life in these
fraternities not only to grow in their desire for the missions among the
indigenous people, which will be very interesting, but also that they return to
their circumscriptions of origin renewed in our ordinary vocation.
11. Maintenance fund
Ordinarily, the brothers who participate in
the “Project” must seek the means of subsistence by their own work, with the
collaboration of the local people, and if this is not enough through the help
of the circumscription.
The parties agree that the ordinary
maintenance of the buildings, as well as the other expenses or taxes related to
their ownership, fall under the responsibility of the circumscription which own
the building.
A fund should be created to provide support
in the maintenance of the “Project” and assist the fraternities in what they
cannot help themselves. This fund is to
be created in the Capuchin Conferences of America, with the collaboration of
each of the circumscriptions through their respective Secretariats for
Evangelization, Animation, and Missionary Cooperation.
In case of extraordinary need, the major
superior of the circumscription, or the two major superiors involved, may send
a request for financial assistance to the Order's International Solidarity
Office in due course.
12. Conclusion.
The Order understands the "St. Lawrence of Brindisi" fraternities
as a way of rescuing our values, and with them helping to rekindle the flame of
our charism.
The recommendations and directives contained in this project for the
international fraternities in the heart of the Amazon truly are nothing more
than what should be the way of life in all the Capuchin fraternities—but for various
reasons sometimes this is a bit neglected. These are not burdensome demands,
but rather it is the way of being Capuchins in the world. And the brothers who are attracted to this
vocation may find profound fulfillment in living them out. Faithfulness to living
out these values is certainly our best way to happiness as a Capuchin.
Profile of the brothers to be part of the
international fraternities in the Amazon
Premise: We know that the ideal brother does not exist, and that each of us
is a “work in-progress.” Nonetheless, taking into account the proposed features
of these international fraternities, we felt it was necessary to provide some
guidance that would be helpful: (1) first of all, to the brothers themselves
who wish to participate in this experience, so that you can make your personal
discernment; (2) and, secondly, to the major superiors, who according to our
Constitutions, are those that should generously send brothers to the mission,
if indeed they are found suitable of undertaking such task. “The ministers
shall not refuse to send those who are suitable on account of the scarcity of
brothers in the province, but cast all their cares and worries on Him Who
continually takes care of us.” (C. 178.3)
1 – he must be a
brother who "by divine inspiration feels called to this missionary work”
(C 178: 1), that is, who has matured this divine call through prayer and life.
2 – a brother
who is attracted to our charism and wants to live and serve in the mission from
our charismatic dimension. Missionary desire alone is not enough, it is
necessary that one desires to be a Capuchin missionary.
3 – a brother
suitable to the life of fraternity: capable of listening and dialogue, of
loving and serving the brothers, healthy interpersonal relationships, and not
conflictive. An individual that enjoys fraternal dynamics: local chapters,
fraternal sharing. A person who is positive and flexible.
4 – a brother
who desires minority. An individual that is available to undertake fraternal
services, even the simplest. Someone without too many demands for comfort,
commodities, food, personal items, with the capacity to positively manage the
logistical limitations of the place of the mission. A person who believes that
poverty is a value.
5 – a brother
who is open and attracted to our life of prayer, who understands that prayer is
our priority (C. 45: 7). Someone who wants to grow in the Capuchin spiritual
life. Someone without any resistance to the daily celebration of the Eucharist,
Liturgy of the Hours and meditation—even if he feels that he himself has to
improve in his life of prayer.
6 – a brother
who is optimistic and generous in our apostolic life, and willing to live it
from fraternity. Someone who wants to experience fraternity as the first
apostolate, capable of giving oneself in the mission, but allowing oneself to
be guided by the fraternity and the Church. A brother who is open to
inculturation, capable and willing to learn other languages and with a special desire
to serve those in greatest need. Someone who is able to collaborate creatively in
a missionary project (plan, execute and evaluate).
7 – a brother who
is willing to collaborate in the accompaniment and formation of brothers who may
visit the fraternities with the intent of having an experience of fraternity
and mission—preaching by the witness of his life and words.
8 – a brother who
is mature (preferably between 35-55 years of age), with good physical and
emotional health. Someone who, if he happens to have any health issues, they
wouldn't be something that would put the fraternity in a difficult situation. Someone
with the emotional stability required to be capable of living with joy the possible
different situations that may occur in a mission setting.
9 – a brother
who knows how to relate to his own family and external friendships in a healthy
manner, without creating uncomfortable situations for the fraternity.
10 –a brother
who wishes to be part of this experience for at least 6 consecutive years.
We insist that
we are not looking for the perfect brother, but a brother like most brothers—who
lives with joy, simplicity and availability his own Capuchin vocation and has
the desire to grow and improve as much as possible. But there are some brothers
who, by their own history, it is clearly perceived that they are not indicated
to this experience, for they will certainly suffer much and also make others suffer.
