Virtual sessions continue as we approach the 2027 gathering in Mexico: a return to our roots, humility, and the primacy of prayer are at the heart of the preparations for the 500th anniversary of the Capuchin Reform.
Preparations for the Third Pan-American Meeting (EPAN), which will be held in Mexico City from May 23 to June 2, 2027, are now in full swing. As part of the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of the Capuchin Reform, this comprehensive journey officially began on May 11, 2026, bringing together the entire American continent under the motto “Memory, Identity, and Prophecy.”
The General Minister, Br. Roberto Genuin, also took part in the opening ceremony, emphasizing that this process perfectly embodies synodality as lived out “in our own way, which is the way of brotherhood and sharing.”
The organization has structured a process that avoids ad-libbing, consisting of six online meetings guided by three key verbs: enlighten, raise awareness, and inspire. The goal is to foster active listening and communal discernment on five essential thematic areas, preparing not only the delegates but also engaging the full vibrancy of the local fraternities.
The Stages of the Journey: Origins, Mission, and Prayer
The second and third preparatory sessions addressed through dialogue some of the fundamental pillars of the Capuchin charism:
- Rediscovering Our Origins and Humility (Second Session): Facilitated by Andrew, this session featured Br. Benjamín OFMCap as the keynote speaker, who led a historical reflection on the evolution of Capuchin life. It became clear that the desire of the first friars was to conform themselves fully to Christ, using the rule of the Gospel as a daily “mirror.” In this vision, poverty is not merely a legal concept, but the preferred path toward conforming with humility. The golden rule of the Capuchin preacher was also reaffirmed: “to preach by one’s life” and with humility, so that actions never contradict words.
- The Primacy of Mental Prayer (Third Session): Held on September 14, 2026, under the guidance of Br. Javier Garza, the third meeting focused on prayer, with a presentation by Br. Bernardo Molina. Mental prayer was described as an essential condition for living the Gospel, supported by three interior movements: prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Contemplation was defined as an “inhabited silence” and an ability to create space to listen to God. The session emphasized the need to continue safeguarding the two hours of daily mental prayer prescribed by the Constitutions, maintaining this Christ-centered time as an absolute priority.
The process of discernment and sharing—which is essential for understanding which aspects of Capuchin life require renewal today in the context of the Americas—will continue in the coming months. The next virtual meeting is already scheduled for October 12, adding another step to this journey that will culminate, with renewed hope, in the major gathering in Mexico City.