Confreres from throughout the United States and Mexico met in the cool oasis of Lago de Guadalupe near Mexico City last week from 8th to 12th of June 2026, to strengthen the foundation of brotherhood necessary for a new era of collaboration and ministry. The General Assembly of the future Seelos Province of North America led confreres to reflect on their own vocations, as well as their relationships with one another – the very foundation of the new Province.
In a moving ritual that foreshadowed the spirit of the Assembly, provincial leadership Fr. Kevin Zubel of the Denver Province, Fr. Joaquín Fraustro Nájera of the Province of Mexico, Fr. John Collins of the Baltimore Province and Fr. Dominic Long of the Extra-Patriam Vice Province each processed up to the sanctuary carrying a pitcher of water and poured it into a large basin, symbolizing the unification of the three Provinces and the new partnership with the Vice Province.
In addition to a special greeting from Superior General Rogério Gomes, Fr. Enrique López from Paraguay shared his experience with the merger of some provinces of South America to reflect on the progress in the unification process. Following a time for personal reflection, Fr. Tom Florek, SJ led confreres on a pilgrimage from our origins, identifying the gifts that each of us brings to the new Province. With maps of the United States, Mexico and Vietnam set on the floor and barbed wire representing borders or obstacles, confreres “overcame” their obstacles by stepping over the barbed wire and “planted” their gifts into new soil. Later that evening, Fr. John presided and Fr. Carlos Jimenez preached at a Mass of the Most Holy Redeemer.
Fr. Ako Walker led us in a morning prayer invoking the Holy Spirit the next day, and Lay Missionaries of the Most Holy Redeemer Lucy McNamara of the Baltimore Province, Martin Cortez of the Province of Mexico, and Toni Dunning of the Denver Province led confreres in reflecting on evangelization, missionary dynamism, community life, and Christ as the center of our lives through the Constitutions and Statutes.
Our own Cardinal Joseph Tobin shared an inspiring message, calling confreres to remember that the unification process is not a corporate act, but one of resurrection, asking, “are we curators of a museum or gardeners of every renewing growth?”
Fr. Israel Romo of the Mission Commission presented the urgency of missionary commitment, emphasizing our diversity as a multinational, multicultural, and multilinguistic province. Br. Ken Stigner presented the Apostolic Life Commission’s discussions, which were discussed in small groups. In the evening, Fr. Kevin presided and Fr. Dominic preached at a Mass in honor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
As Fr. José Luis Gómez García led morning prayer on the third day of the gathering, Fr. Denis Sweeney, Fr. Tat Hoang and Edwin Avila guided confreres in a meditation on Constitutions 7, 13 and 15. They asked where the Lord is calling each of us, how we encounter and honor God’s presence, and what anxieties we have in this moment of opportunity. Bishop Michael Brehl encouraged confreres to create spaces for communion and dialogue in a time of polarization.
In his keynote address, Br. Larry Luján reminded confreres that true security does not lie in a national border, but in the mercy and goodness of Jesus Christ. He applauded the conversations confreres were having, and most importantly, the practice of community life even among confreres meeting one another for the first time.
Fr. Matt Allman, emcee for the Assembly, facilitated a vibrant open-mic session that allowed confreres to share their insights and impressions of the week. Fr. Margarito Robles and Andrew Tran-Chung assisted with the microphones.
In the evening, Fr. Joaquín presided at a Mass in honor of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and Fr. Jerome Chavarria, Coordinator of the North American Conference, preached.
Despite all the formal meetings and small group discussions about the future of the Seelos Province, the Assembly gave confreres ample time to enjoy one another’s company. Since the FIFA World Cup started during the Assembly, confreres gathered to watch Mexico vs. South Africa and Korea vs. Czech Republic. Between meetings, confreres streamed in and out of the café for an espresso or chai, stopped on the bridges between buildings to chat, and even went on walks around the property.
Most notably, confreres made efforts to meet new people during mealtimes, often moving to different tables while they experienced wonderful Mexican staples like chilaquiles. Even during the liturgy, Fr. Kevin O’Neil accompanied confreres on the organ, while Fr. Thomas Tonka Hoang and Fr. Moises Mosqueda led everyone in wonderful song.
We’re grateful to the planning commission for coordinating this gathering that fostered our brotherhood as we prepare for our first Provincial Chapter in January.
Andrew Tran-Chung, C.Ss.R.
(Published in denverlink of Volume-19 Issue-24 on June 19, 2026)
