On July 9-11, 2021, the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) in Bosnia and Herzegovina received a fraternal and pastoral visit, and celebrated a National Chapter, where it elected its new National Council.
The events took place in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ana FRUCK of Croatia, a member of the CIOFS Presidency (the OFS International Council) conducted the fraternal visit while Friar Alfred PARAMBAKATHU, OFM Conv., conducted the pastoral visit.
Since the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) is the only family of the First Order present in Bosnia and Herzegovina, they alone assist the OFS national fraternity at the local level. The National Fraternity is divided into two regions: Herzegovina, with 17 local fraternities and 1035 members; and Bosnia, with 32 local fraternities and 830 members. It is notable that almost seventy percent of OFM vocations come from Franciscan Youth (YouFra) or OFS families. This is one more reason why we should be working with the Secular Franciscans.
During the elective Chapter, Ivana VIDOVIĆ was elected as National Minister and Božica LONČAR as International Councilor.
Friar Alfred PARAMBAKATHU
PHOTO:
The new National Council with the National Spiritual Assistants
