We present to you the Rectory of the University of San Buenaventura Calil
Friar Benjamín Soto Forero, O.F.M.
Born in Ubaté, Cundinamarca on June 23, 1954.
Entered the Novitiate on January 12, 1975, Bogotá, Colombia.
He made his temporary profession on December 29, 1975 in Bogota, Colombia.
Made his perpetual profession on March 10, 1979 in Bogota.
Received priestly ordination on December 15, 1979 in Ubaté, Colombia.
Services Performed
Provincial Coordinator of Vocational Ministry (1979 – 1980).
Vicar of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Armenia (1980 – 1981).
Vice-teacher of Students Formation House of San Bernardino de Siena, Bogotá (1981 – 1982).
Vicar and Vice Rector of the San Pablo Formation House, Itagüí (1983 – 1984).
Secretary of the General Canonical Visitation (1984). Rector of the San Pablo Formation House, Itagüí (1984 – 1985). Guardian and Novice Master, Casa de San Luis de Tolosa, Ubaté (1988 – 1990).
Vicar and Vice-teacher of the Postulants of the House of Formation of San Pablo, Itagüí (1990 – 1993). Secretary General Universidad de San Buenaventura, Medellín (1990 – 1993).
Moderator for Continuing Education (1993-1996).
Secretary Universidad de San Buenaventura Colombia (1993 – 1996).
Guardian and Teacher, St. Leonard’s House of Formation for Ministries, Port Mauritius (1996 – 1999). Director of the Institute of Franciscanism, USB Bogotá (1997 – 1998).
Vice President of the Franciscan Family of Colombia (1998 – 2000).
Provincial Definitor (1999 – 2001). Guardian and Master of Students, Casa de Formación de San Bernardino de Siena, Bogotá (1999 – 2001).
President of the Franciscan Family of Colombia (2000 – 2001).
Vice Rector of the Student Friars of the International Franciscan Fraternity “Venerable Friar Gabriel Maria Alegra” of the Pontifical University “Antonianum”, Rome (2001 – 2003).
Personal Secretary to the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, General Curia, Rome (2003 – 2006).
Secretary of San Buenaventura University, Cali (2007 – 2008).
Secretary of the General Canonical Visitation (2008). Provincial Definitor (2008 – 2011).
Guardian of St. John the Baptist House, Provincial Curia, Bogota (2008- 2011).
Moderator for Continuing Education (2008 – 2011).
Guardian of the House of St. Bernardine of Siena and Master of Temporary Professed Religious, Bogota (2012-2014); Chancellor’s Representative to the USB Governing Council; Moderator’s Advisor for Initial Formation (2012 – 2014).
Vicar and Bursar of St. Barnabas Parish Fraternity, Bogota (2014-2016). Fraternity and Parish Administrator of La Porciúncula, Bogotá (2016 – 2017). Vicar of the Fraternity House of the Immaculate Conception of Manizales, and Director of the Evangelization of Education and Pastoral Franciscan College Augustine Gemelli, Manizales (2017 – 2019). Secretary of the Universidad de San Buenaventura, Cali (2019 – 2021). Collaborator Parish of La Porciúncula, Bogotá (2021). Moderator for Continuing Education (2021…). Secretary of San Buenaventura University, Cali (2022…).
Studies performed
Licentiate in Theology, Universidad de San Buenaventura, Bogotá.
Licentiate in Theology with Specialization in Franciscan Spirituality from the Pontifical University “Antonianum”, Rome.
Diploma in Canon Law from the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Vatican City. Rome.
Diploma in “Senior Management and Managerial Competencies”, Universidad de San Buenaventura, Medellín.
Courses and seminars
Christian Iconography, Theology and Spirituality, Center for Ecumenical Russian Studies, Rome.
Christian-Byzantine Iconography: Art and Theology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá.
Program for the Improvement of University Administration and Teaching in Antioquia. PROMADUA, ASIESDA, Medellín.
XVIII Course for Formators of Major Seminaries and Centers of Priestly Formation of Latin America and the Caribbean, CELAM, Guatemala.
Consecrated Life Facing the Challenges of the Third Millennium, Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Vatican City.
Publications
“Un joven con ochocientos años: Francisco de Asís”, Revista Misiones, Bogotá (1982).
“El Carisma Franciscano”, collaboration in the publication of the book: “El padre Almansa, signo de santidad en la Historia de Colombia”, Bogotá, (1995).
“Crucifix of San Damiano: the Icon of the Encounter”, script and theological-spiritual support, Video of the Ongoing Formation of the Province of the Holy Faith in Colombia, Bogota (1995).
“Francis at the foot of the Cross, an apprentice of the Crucified for Love”, Provincial Bulletin 362, Bogota (1996).
“El Descenso de Jesucristo al Hades”, Boletín provincia 365, Bogotá (1997).
“Un Camino de Respuestas a la manera del hermano Francisco de Asís” script for provincial video, Bogotá (2007).
“Hacia un Pedagogía Franciscana”, El ágora USB, Revista de Ciencias Humanas y Sociales, July-December, Medellín (2008).
“Steps on the Way of Response to Francis of Assisi”, Provincial Bulletin 421, Bogota (2009).
“The Crucifix of San Damiano: Encounter, contemplation and prayer”, Editorial Buenaventura, Cali (2010).
“De Dios se pueden hacer imágenes?”, Boletín provincial 428, Bogotá (2010).
“Authority as service”, Conference, Encounter of Guardians of the Province, Bogotá, D.C. (2021).