The day began with enthusiasm and a shared sense of hope and mission, thanks in part to the minister general of the Conventual Franciscan friars as well as Franciscan Youth, or YouFra.
Friar Carlos Alberto Trovarelli, OFM Conv., minister general, said it was “a real privilege” to be invited “to preside over the Eucharist” at the OFS General Chapter on Nov. 15.
“You are the largest Franciscan Order in the world, and that’s truly something wonderful,” he said at the beginning of his homily.
“However, rather than seeing yourselves as ‘privileged’, you live out the charism with simplicity and minority. Only you know what it means to follow the Lord in the midst of society — in ‘the world’. Well done! You are courageous!”
In his homily he encouraged everyone to live with wisdom — “the wisdom that Jesus proposes to us”; namely, “listening to the Word, participating in a fraternity or a community, living God’s life in faith, being joyful members of the Church — all these are tools that help us” face life’s challenges and problems, so that we do not forget that “our calling, our vocation is to be witnesses to transcendence.”
He added: “Happiness will be found in the love we have given to others and not in the love we have begged for.”
Two YouFra members strummed guitars and sang with gusto, their joy permeating the celebration of the Eucharist. Presidency YouFra Councillor Félix Chocojay, OFS, and YouFra Area Councillor Diego Ventura, OFS, went on from singing to give a general session report on the status of Franciscan Youth worldwide. Other area YouFra councillors also joined in giving the presentation.
Recognizing that every mission begins with a simple “YES”, YouFra faces today’s world giving a testimony of faith.
The presentation began with a music video that had some capitulars and observers swaying in their seats. The video and report spotlighted the vast appeal of having fun while exploring their Catholic faith and reaching out in practical ways in service to neighbors and community.
Felix, who comes from a small village in Guatemala, noted that his “sense of belonging to Franciscan life” and his Franciscan vocation have grown stronger “thanks to the testimony of life of many brothers and sisters I have met around the world.”
He declared: “YouFra goes around the world on foot, proposing a life in fraternity, which helps to counteract the ideology of individualism that threatens so many young people in these times.”