From March 31 to April 4, 2025, the solemnly professed friars of the Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana conducted their annual Custodial retreat.

This retreat gathered together all of the solemnly professed friars, with the exception of those working and studying outside Ghana and three friars who could not attend due to health reasons. The retreat took place at the Franciscan Valley of Prayer and Silence in Saltpond, Ghana. During the five-day retreat, the friars had an opportunity to pray and reflect on their apostolate.
The retreat started at 6:00 p.m. with Evening Prayer. Almost all of the friars were present. We were privileged to have the Most Reverend Emmanuel Kofi FIANU, SVD, Bishop of Ho, Ghana, as the facilitator of the retreat. The theme for the retreat was: “Pilgrims of Hope: Journeying together in Prayer, Fraternity and Mission.” The bishop reflected with us on some prominent aspects of the theme, such as, who is a pilgrim; who are pilgrims of hope; understanding our mission; recognizing the core aspect of our journey, and finally, looking at examples of pilgrims of hope in the Old and New Testament. One unique aspect the bishop introduced was having “conversation in the Spirit.” For this, we were divided into groups to reflect on what was discussed during the morning session. This enabled the friars to discuss things that touched them and how the Lord spoke to them about the theme of the retreat through “conversation in the Spirit.”
In all, there were thirty-two solemnly professed friars in attendance. We are grateful to God for yet another opportunity to take time out of our busy schedules in order to sit at His feet. Moreover, we pray through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi that we may continue to do good and impact our generation while we have time.

Friar Francis Pascal AFFUM, Custodial Secretary