From February 2 to 6, we had the grace of welcoming the successor of St. Francis of Assisi, Brother Massimo FUSARELLI, to our community. This unforgettable event was warmly welcomed by the entire Franciscan family in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. His arrival was preceded by great mobilization and enthusiasm. As he had already announced, he arrived in Goma accompanied by the Definitor General for Africa, Brother Victor QUEMATCHA. It was in Goma that the brothers and the entire Franciscan family welcomed him for the first time in our country as Minister General. At the Goma airport, these few words were addressed to him:

"Reverend Brother Massimo, Minister General of the Friars Minor,

We, the Franciscan family, are very pleased with your very first visit to our country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, in general, and to the eastern part in particular. Thank you for your courage in coming to visit us in this environment and context of war. This testifies to the love you have for the Franciscan family. With joy and fraternal spirit, we welcome you on behalf of all our brothers and sisters. To you and all those who accompany you, we wish you a warm welcome and a very pleasant stay with us.

Karibu kwetu!

Arriving at the Fraternity of Goma, according to the program planned for his stay in the East, he first went to the oratory to give thanks to God for his presence in our country and to bless all his brothers and sisters present in the name of St. Francis of Assisi. His blessing was preceded by a word of welcome from the Provincial Vicar, Brother José NZAU NZAU, and a fraternal meal in the courtyard of the fraternity. After the meal, the Minister General spoke with the entire Franciscan family, emphasizing our charism and the challenges we face as Franciscans in the current context of our country. In the evening, the Provincial Vicar, Brothers Marie-Pascal and Raymond accompanied the Minister General and the General Definitor for Africa to the Bishop of Goma, His Excellency Will NGUMBI.

Saturday, February 3, was marked by a visit to one of seven refugee camps, to our brothers and sisters who are victims of the precarious situation in our country. It was a moment of indescribable misery that made our hearts ache. After a tour of the camp, the Minister General and his team of Franciscan brothers and sisters shared the prepared food (rice and beans) with the children. It was unimaginable to see children under the age of 2 fighting for survival.

On the afternoon of February 3, the Minister General's delegation traveled to Bukavu by boat on the majestic Lake Kivu. They arrived in Bukavu around 5:30 p.m., and the Minister General was welcomed very fraternally and warmly by the Franciscan Family of Bukavu. The procession then left for Nyantende, where another large group of the Franciscan Family awaited him with songs of joy and dancing. The Minister General went to the chapel of the formation house to pray and bless us.

Sunday, February 4, was full of activities. The Minister General and the entire Franciscan family attended the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass at the parish of Nyantende. At 10:30 a.m., the Minister General spoke with the entire Franciscan Family, developing the same theme as in Goma. Around 12:30 p.m., there was a fraternal meal with the entire Franciscan Family, which numbered at least 120 people.

At 3:00 p.m., there were cultural activities, including religious songs, traditional dances, poems, skits, the presentation of gifts to our guests, and souvenir photos. The evening of that day was dedicated to a visit from His Excellency François Xavier MAROY, Archbishop of Bukavu.

On Monday, February 5, the Minister General traveled to Goma at 2 p.m. after spending the morning in conversation with the postulants and brothers of the fraternities of Bukavu.

On Tuesday, February 6, the Minister General concluded his visit to Goma and Bukavu and flew to Kinshasa to continue his visit to other regions.

We give thanks to God for this time we have experienced.

Brother Marie-Pascal RUSHURA,