The 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis offers countless opportunities for spiritual renewal. It also invites the entire Franciscan family to make the Franciscan charism more visible and tangible in today’s world. In other words, it tells us not to delay in “doing what is ours.”
The Most Reverend Martin KMETEC, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Izmir (Smirne), Turkey, did not miss such an opportunity. After more than two years of work, dialogue, and planning, he succeeded in hosting a meeting aimed at reviving the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) in his archdiocese and, implicitly, in Turkey. On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, he hosted a meeting at the archbishop’s residence in Izmir. The meeting started at 10:00 a.m. with Midday Prayer. In his opening remarks, the Archbishop emphasized that, although the life of the Roman Rite Catholic Church in Turkey is largely due to the Franciscans, little has been done to involve the laity in our charism. We are called to practice synodality—which is communion, participation, and mission—and to present Christ, in a simple way, as the path to follow.
Next, Noemi Paula RICARDI, a councilor of the Presidency of the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS), spoke about the process of establishing the OFS in a country. The OFS General Spiritual Assistants, Friars Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., and Pedro ZITHA, OFM, then spoke about the role of an OFS Spiritual Assistant. After the presentations, there was a question and answer period conducted in an atmosphere of dialogue and discussion. The questions and answers helped the participants understand the reality experienced in each local Church and highlighted the need to take concrete steps during this jubilee year to revive the OFS, which was present in Turkey until the 1960s. Indeed, the last recorded profession in the OFS fraternity at the Parish Church of St. Anthony of Padua, in Istanbul, dates back to November 19, 1954.
It is true that the local Church in Turkey is humble and poor, and has “a simple heart,” and these are all Franciscan values, too. It is well known that God often takes pleasure in building and laying the foundations of a “building” on rubble, rather than on well-prepared ground. His most beautiful “masterpieces” have been erected precisely on rubble. Paul did not give up his human ambitions until he found himself with his face in the dust on the road to Damascus. Through such experiences he came to realize: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). The same happened to St. Francis, the son of Pietro Bernardone. Having failed to achieve his human ideals and ambitions, God gave him the mandate: “Go and repair my house…” (2Celano 10: FF 593).
Today, little more than “ruins” remain of the former OFS in Turkey. Nevertheless, its traces are still visible. The OFS can certainly be resurrected if the friars take seriously Francis’ final words: “I have done what is mine; may Christ teach you what is yours!” (The Major Legend XIV 3: FF 1239).
Ten friars of the Franciscan First Order attended the meeting. Seven were from Izmir and three from Istanbul. The meeting concluded at 12:30 p.m. when it was decided that Archbishop KMETEC will send a letter to the three Franciscan Major Superiors in his archdiocese, and ask them to appoint several friars to carry out the task of promoting the OFS in Turkey, because “Francis is alive” and can significantly help the Church and society of Turkey.
All those attending the conference greatly appreciated the Archbishop’s initiative and were very satisfied with the meeting.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
