Joaquim Magalhães de Castro
Between May 13 and 15, the Apostolic Vicariate of Ñuflo de Chávez hosted the bicentennial celebrations of the historic city of Ascension of Guarayos, in eastern Bolivia, and the beginning of the Franciscan mission among the Guarayo people, which profoundly shaped the spiritual and cultural identity of the region. Under the motto “Ascension, Two Centuries, One Identity,” the celebrations brought together the faithful, representatives of civil and ecclesiastical authorities, and representatives of indigenous communities. “Celebrating two hundred years means not only remembering the past but also embracing with hope the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us today,” wrote Friar Kasper Mariusz Kaproń, OFM, parish priest of the Ascension of the Lord parish, in a commemorative letter for the anniversary.
Founded in 1826 by the Franciscan José Gregorio Salvatierra, the Ascension Mission of Guarayos is one of the most significant testimonies of evangelization in the Bolivian Amazon. For two centuries, members of the Franciscan Order accompanied local communities not only in the proclamation of the Gospel, but also in the areas of education and human development, as well as in the preservation of local culture and language. The evangelization of the Guarayo region began in the late 18th century, when the Franciscans, at the initiative of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith in Tarata, undertook expeditions through the jungles of eastern Bolivia. After years of living with the Guarayo people and learning their language and customs, the missionaries established a network of settlements that fostered community organization, agriculture, crafts, and catechesis. The Ascension of Guarayos was one of the most important bases in this process and, over time, became the most significant religious and cultural center in the region. “Ascensão de Guarayos is not just a city with history; it is a community that arose from the Gospel and was shaped by the faith of generations,” wrote the parish priest in his letter, emphasizing the deep connection between the identity of the people and the Franciscan missionary work.
The Parish of the Ascension of the Lord continues to be a vibrant pastoral center. Children and young people actively sing in choirs and orchestras, thus preserving the musical tradition of the old missions. According to the organizers of the celebrations, the bicentennial program included Eucharistic celebrations, processions, and cultural presentations that unite faith and indigenous identity. The commemorative Mass was officiated by the Auxiliary Bishop of La Paz, Pedro Luis Fuentes Valencia. The organizers also emphasized: “Ascensão opens its doors to share the joy of its community and the strength of a vibrant tradition with everyone.”
The Jubilee celebrations take place in the year of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. “Christ unites us and sends us forth: from the roots of our missionary history to a Paschal Church that launches itself,” the parish priest explained in his letter, in which he invited the community to renew its commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel.
The experiences of two centuries of missionary work, accompanying indigenous peoples and promoting their culture and language, demonstrate that authentic evangelization consists of respecting and preserving the dignity of indigenous communities. These communities are called to participate actively in the life of the Church and to build a more just and sustainable future for the Amazon region itself.
The Franciscans, in addition to regional concerns, also address universal issues, in line with the vision of Saint Francis. The “man of Assisi” has been celebrated for centuries for his concern for the poor, for peaceful dialogue with Muslims and other peoples, and for his love of creation.
“Our founder was concerned with peace, with the poor, and with the planet,” says Father Rozansky of Franciscans International. “We, followers of Francis, are called to continue promoting these values in the world and, more specifically, in the United Nations.”
It was eight centuries ago that Francis of Assisi traveled through Europe and the Middle East. In his time, he was not naturally forced to confront the enormous industrial environmental degradation common in today’s world. Even so, St. Francis made a point of cultivating his friendship with God’s creatures, including “the birds and a fearsome wolf.” Today, Franciscans International is channeling this concern “for all beings created by God” into modern environmental activism, aiming to save the world from man-made degradation.
“From my experience, I can say that people trust the Franciscans, especially when it comes to issues related to caring for the Creator’s work and for people living in extreme poverty,” he says. “The Franciscans are close to ordinary people and understand their problems.”
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