From June 15 to 21, Br. Daniel Rodríguez Blanco and Br. Taucen Girsang, Director and Deputy Director of the General Office for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), made a fraternal visit to the Franciscan Province of St. Michael the Archangel in Indonesia. The visit aimed to strengthen ties with the fraternities and gain firsthand knowledge of the Province’s initiatives in mission, formation, and integral ecology.
The visit coincided with the diaconal ordination of three Friars Minor, celebrated on June 15 at the provincial novitiate house. This joyful occasion provided an opportunity to share with the fraternity the celebration of a new stage in the vocational journey of these brothers.
Then the program continued to visit the island of Flores, where the Province has five Franciscan presences. During these days, three of these fraternities were visited, fostering opportunities for dialogue, fraternal exchange, and encounter with the brothers engaged in a variety of pastoral ministries and formation activities.
Meeting with the Eco-Pastoral Project
One of the most significant moments was the encounter with pioneers of the Eco-Pastoral Project, an initiative that emerged as a priority of the 2001 Provincial Chapter. As a result of this decision, a fraternity was assigned full-time to JPIC animation and to the development of this project.
The Eco-Pastoral Project seeks to promote a way of life inspired by integral ecology, integrating Franciscan spirituality, education, care for the land, culture, human values, and evangelization. Through this initiative, training is provided to primary, secondary, and university students in various forms of organic farming and the appropriate use of technology, while also supporting and strengthening the work of local farmers.
The project carries out its mission in several areas, including the care of both drylands and wetlands, the production and use of organic fertilizers, and educational programs focused on sustainability and the care of our common home.
Meeting with the Postulants
During the visit, the General JPIC Office also met with the 16 postulants who had recently begun their year of formation in the city of Pagal. The encounter was marked by an open and engaging dialogue about their experiences, expectations, concerns, and vocational journeys, providing an opportunity for fraternal accompaniment and mutual sharing.
The visit also included the fraternity in Ruteng, where the brothers serving on the island of Flores were greeted. In addition, the visitors had the opportunity to meet with brothers from all the Franciscan presences on Flores, who were gathered there for their annual spiritual retreat.
The visit offered a firsthand experience of the vitality of the Province of St. Michael the Archangel in Indonesia and of the brothers’ commitment to promoting justice, peace, reconciliation, and care for creation, inspired by the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi and the mission of the Order of Friars Minor.
