From Friday, September 12 to Sunday, September 14, 2025, the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) in Australia conducted an elective Chapter. The event took place at the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Center in Baulkham Hills, Sydney, Australia. The Chapter began at 2:00 p.m. with a greeting from the National Minister, Maria IADANZA, followed by the approval of the Chapter program.
The first session was dedicated to hearing reports from the OFS National Minister, the Formation Director, the Missions Director, the Treasurer, and from the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants (CAS). Subsequently, the Capitulars requested a revision of the Statutes of the National Fraternity of Australia. They entrusted this task to the new National Council. The Capitulars were also informed about the “safeguarding norms” that Secular Franciscans are to observe.
The Major Superiors of the Franciscan First Order in Australia—Friar Philip MISCAMBLE, OFM; Friar Robert STEWART, OFM Cap.; and the Conventual Franciscan Provincial Delegate, Friar David BLOWEY, OFM Conv. —attended dinner and a fraternal evening.
Saturday, the second day of the Chapter, began with Mass at 7:30 a.m., presided over by Friar Joe McKAY, OFM. The work of the Chapter resumed at 9:30 a.m. with a talk by Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., representing CAS, entitled “The Canticle of the Creatures: A Light on the Journey of the Secular Franciscan.” The OFS Minister General, Tibor KAUSER, then gave a talk entitled: “The Priorities of the National Chapter.”
The elective session began at 1:00 p.m. with an hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. At 2:10 p.m., the session presider, Tibor KAUSER, outlined some specific norms and criteria for the Chapter. The twenty-six Capitulars with voting rights re-elected Maria IADANZA as the National Minister and International Councilor.
Others attending the Chapter included eleven OFS observers; the National Spiritual Assistants Friars Joe McKAY, OFM; John COOPER, OFM Cap.; and Louis Mary SCHMID, OFM Conv., the Regional Spiritual Assistant who has replaced Friar Anthony Paul FOX, OFM Conv. The second day also concluded with a fraternal evening.
On Sunday, September 14, the new National Council was installed during Mass at 7:30 a.m., presided over by Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI. After breakfast, the National Minister presented the priorities of the National Fraternity for the next three years. The Capitulars then voted on the priorities after some discussion in working groups. Tibor KAUSER and Friar Ștefan spent some time meeting with the members of the new National Council.
The Chapter was celebrated in a serene and fraternal atmosphere. It concluded with lunch, after which the Capitulars departed at 2:00 p.m.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
