Over 100 friars from 70 countries gathered in Rome and Assisi for the 203rd General Chapter, celebrating the rich diversity and unity of the Franciscan brotherhood. Rooted in the Gospel and guided by the Holy Spirit, these brothers—praying, reflecting, and discerning together—embody the Church’s call to be one across every culture, language, and nation.
All May Be One
by friar Mario Serrano
Today, we live in a rapidly shrinking world, thanks to advances in technology and the ease of travel. Yet, it remains plagued by ongoing struggles and conflicts. Despite our best efforts, we continue to grapple with embracing diversity. In His high priestly prayer, Jesus prays that we be one, just as He and the Father are one (John 17:21). This unity is not about being the same or uniformity; it’s about recognizing that God loves all people, in their diversity, just as much as He loves Jesus. Sixty years ago, the Church reaffirmed its stance through documents like Nostra Aetate and Gaudium et Spes.
Imagine a world where we genuinely honor diversity, where we are encouraged to connect with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and where we sincerely strive to be united, cared for, and aligned with all our sisters and brothers. Are you aware that the United States Conference of Bishops aims to form priests by developing their human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions? How can each of us grow and help others mature in these areas? I believe this could ultimately aid us in appreciating the various ways people find meaning, purpose, and a deeper relationship with God and God’s people.
As Franciscan Friars, we are committed to upholding the Church’s dedication to celebrating diversity and promoting unity among people from various backgrounds and faiths. This summer, from June 1 to 21, 2025, I had the opportunity to serve as a translator (Spanish to English) and witness the rich diversity of our brotherhood firsthand as over 100 friars from 70 countries gathered in Rome and Assisi for our 203rd General Chapter. This three-week event, held around Pentecost every six years, serves as a time for prayer, reflection, and fellowship. We reflect on the past six years and look ahead to the future, striving to remain true to our Gospel values while deepening our understanding of the human experience, daily realities, and God’s call to respond to and serve the urgent challenges of today’s world, all the while preserving human dignity. It is a time for renewal and recommitment to fostering justice, peace, the common good, and solidarity, highlighting the Church’s essential role in the modern world.
Throughout our time together, we prayed and worshiped in four languages: English, Italian, Polish, and Spanish. As we shared various cultural expressions, we developed a deeper appreciation for each other’s strengths and sought to broaden our understanding of faith and community. By embracing our diverse backgrounds, we formed a united front and acknowledged our shared Gospel and Franciscan values, proclaiming Christ together. This serves as a powerful reminder that, despite being from the United States, I am a brother to the friars in Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Mexico, and many other places we often try to distance ourselves from. Spending twenty-one days immersed in such diversity reminded us of the importance of fostering mutual understanding and respect. The Church teaches us that a genuine relationship with God involves treating all individuals with love and rejecting any form of discrimination based on race, religion, or any other factor that may divide us. May we be open to being gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
