A IDENTIDADE FRANCISCANA DA JUFRA NO CONTEXTO PÓS-VATICANO II (1970-1980)

Abstract

In 1967, after returning from a period of studies in Italy, Fray Eurico de Mello a Capuchin Friar initiated a new experience of youth movement in Ponta Grossa-PR, linked to OrdemFranciscana Secular (OFS), Juventude Franciscana (JUFRA). From this group, Fray Eurico built a structure and methodology having as basis the Theory of Human Organization proposed by AntônioRubbo Müller and the Movement of Community Creativity proposed by Waldemar de Gregori. The experience of JUFRA in Ponta Grossa was chosen as model to be implemented throughout Brazil. The period of 1970 to 1980 is the temporal cut focused in this piece of work, characterized by decisions made by Second Vatican Council and by the rise of new youth movements. It is tried to understand how Fray Eurico idealized the Franciscan identity of JUFRA and how the “jufristas” understood it. In order to reach it, the thesis presents a reflection made from part of a bibliography produced about the Second Vatican Council, an analysis of the documents and materials of the formation of JUFRA, and a biography of the fray, the history of the institution of the movement and the comprehension of the Franciscan identity of the “jufristas” according to the documents and oral narratives accessed. In accordance with the documents analyzed it was noted that the ideal of the Franciscan identity of the Juventude Franciscana movement idealized by Fray Eurico intended that the young people developed the engagement in the parochial communities and in the society, maturity of consciousness and autonomy, setting life goals through the balance of their personalities. The interviewees understood the Franciscan identity as a lifestyle based on the stripping, joy, engagement to the community, in the organization and in the maturity of consciousness. Such understandings therefore converged with those present in the documents analyzed, showing that the learning opportunities were very strong in the movement for the interviewees.