Launch of the 2nd CCH Conference Common Novitiate in South America.

With a solemn Eucharistic celebration, the 2nd Common Novitiate of the Capuchin Conference of Hispano-America (CCH) was officially launched in Bolivia on August 22, 2023. Present at this special celebration were Br. José Ángel Torres, Vicar General of the Order, Br. Alejandro Núñez Ennabe, president of CCH, and the ,major superiors and delegates of the circumscriptions directly involved in this novitiate: the Province of Argentina and Uruguay, Province of Colombia, Province of Peru, Custody of Ecuador, Custody of Paraguay, Custody of Venezuela, Delegation of Bolivia, and Delegation of Chile. 

A decree from the General Minister Br. Roberto Genuin, declaring the erection of the novitiate house in El Naranjal, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia was read during the celebration. Also, a special blessing was given to the formation team: Br. Martín Torres (Province of Peru), Br. Marcos Ramírez (Province of Argentina and Uruguay), Br. Walter Brignardello (Custody of Paraguay) and Br. Darwin Orozco (Custody of Ecuador).  

At a meeting with the formation team, the major superiors discussed with them the start of the novitiate fraternity, the course of action over the coming months before the arrival of the novices in 2024; they also approved the agreement that will regulate the common novitiate. A dialogue then ensued about the initiation of a common postulancy year at the conference level. The superiors took the opportunity to visit the brothers who are in the other two houses that are part of the Delegation. They received a fraternal welcome from the friars and the faithful to whom they minister. A special presentation was made of indigenous goods and products of Bolivian culture. 

This new step of opening a 2nd common novitiate house in the conference (the first being the CCH novitiate in Honduras) is a sign of hope and strength in the relationship between the circumscriptions.