Approximately 200 youth belonging to YouFra came together for 5 days in the city of Santiago, Chile.  An additional 40 other youth were in attendance from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru.  The theme of this gathering was I have chosen Holy Poverty as my Lady, which also served as the basis for our reflections, sharings, and experiences in fraternity. 

What stood out the most from these gatherings were joy, prayer, sharing, and an opportunity for growth for YouFra and all the assistants along with them.  Everyday we reflected on a particular theme as an aid to deepen our understanding of the central theme.  The presenters were Sr. Paulina Etcheverry, FMIC, Br. Manuel Alvarado, OFM, Héctor Fernández Cubillos, and Br. Francisco Salgado, OFM.  All contributed to the formation of the young participants.

Also participating at the gathering was Br. Anderson Moura, SFO/YouFra from Brazil who is a member of the International Coordination of YouFra for South America; he was there representing Sr. Ana Fruk, SFO/YouFra, both the International Coordinator of YouFra and Councilor of the CIOFS Presidency.  Likewise, Sr. Ingrid Palacios was in attendance; she is both the National Minister and International Councilor of the SFO of Chile.

We appreciate all the efforts put into this event by the organizers as well as from the team of the National Presidency of YouFra, Chile, which is made up of María Paz Díaz Valenzuela, the Assistant National Br. Omar Luna, OFM, the OFM Province of the Most Holy Trinity of Chile, the Franciscan Family of Chile, Missionszentrale der Franziskaner, and all those who traveled for miles to be part of this experience.

The gathering had its closing Mass on Jan. 24 in the Church of St. Francis of Alameda, the mother house of the OFM Province; it was celebrated by the Provincial Vicar, Br. Jorge Concha, OFM. 

We welcome the announcement with joy that the IV South American gathering of Franciscan Youth will take place in Colombia and will be realized in January of 2012.

Photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jufra.org/3erEncuentroJUFRASudamericaViernes22DeEnero2010

http://picasaweb.google.com/jufra.org/MasFotosEncuentroJufraConosurChile2010