XXV years Evangelizing

Twenty-five years ago, in 1997, the Capuchin friars arrived on August 11 in La Piedad, Mich. where the fraternity of St. Anthony of Padua was canonically erected as the Novitiate of the then Delegation. The decision to come to this place was a greater possibility of apostolate and formation. Besides being a place relatively close to the fraternity of Guadalajara. Alberto Suarez Inda, they settled in a small house that was conditioned for this purpose, at first in the center of the city and later in Colonia Vasco de Quiroga. In 2004 the present house was inaugurated and blessed, and since 2005 it has been the seat of the postulancy.
Since then our presence in this community has been collaborating in the pastoral care of the local Church by celebrating the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation; likewise, we support the Catholic schools with themes, retreats, masses, confessions, etc. In 2010 Bishop Alberto Suarez asked the friars to take care of the Rectory of Our Lady of Health, which is located behind the friars’ house. This chapel has become the point of pastoral care, permanent evangelization, and closeness for all the people of this area.

We could not fail to celebrate this great event for the life of our current Provincial Custody of Mexico and Texas, for which we have had two simple and significant festivities in our fraternity:

On August 11, the feast of St. Clare of Assisi, we celebrated the Eucharist in the Rectory of San Francisco de La Piedad, Mich. in the company of our Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters of Zamora, remembering how twenty-five years ago they came to La Piedad, Mich. to welcome us and support us in the installation of the furnishings in our new presence. After the Eucharist, we shared a festive meal at the San Antonio de Padua Convent.

On August 12 and 13 we shared this event with our friends, brothers, and community benefactors through a pilgrimage through some of the streets of the neighborhood, praying the rosary and celebrating the Eucharist. The Eucharist proper of the festivity was held on August 13 at noon where several significant moments took place, and then we shared food and the festive joy of the culture of these people who welcomed us.

We thank all the people who contributed to these festivities with their company, closeness, friendship, and selfless support. May God continue to grant us to live the gospel in fidelity to the way of life that he has given us to live.