The Franciscans of Eastern Canada, St. Joseph's Province, held a Chapter in Granby from May 14 to 19, 2017. Fr. Pierre Charland was elected new Minister Provincial.

The Chapter is an important moment in the life of the Franciscans. The friars had the opportunity to review the last few years and to plan for the future. It is a special moment when the friars get together to discuss major projects they are working on, such as missions, evangelization, fraternal life and international collaborations.

During this Chapter, elections were held to elect a new Provincial Council. Those elected were: Pierre Charland, Minister Provincial, Michel Boyer, Vicar Provincial and four definitors (counselors):  Pierre Brunette, Henri Éthier, Aimé Dô Van Thông and Néhémie Prybinski.

Pierre Charland, the new Provincial Minister, was touched by the confidence that the friars have in him. He is pleased with the directions taken at the Chapter. "...we are turning to the fundamental values of our Church, which lie at the heart of the Gospel. Our world needs to return to the essential and break down the barriers for a more fraternal society."

The Order of Friars Minor, founded by Saint Francis over 800 years ago, has 13,500 Franciscan friars worldwide. They live in 47 countries across five continents.

Great challenges await the new council over the coming months. The Province of St. Joseph currently has 61 friars working in five fraternities (three in Montreal, one in Lachute and one in Trois-Rivères).