The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) in Chile has 360 members divided into thirty-nine local fraternities. From September 3-6, 2026, the Fraternity hosted its second formation course for formators of the OFS and Franciscan Youth (YouFra) in South America, entitled “From Shared Experience to Fraternal Service.” It was held at the retreat center run by the sisters of the Missionary Servants of the Holy Spirit in Santiago, Chile.
The course was designed for OFS and YouFra formators, Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) coordinators, fraternal animators, and Spiritual Assistants from across South America. It provided formation and a forum for exchanging experiences and information.
The course officially opened with Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, presided over by the OFS General Spiritual Assistant, Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv. The afternoon session began at 2:45 p.m. with an update on the implementation of the decisions made during the 2024 formation course in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Representatives of the OFS National Fraternities then shared updates on their fraternities, formation programs, the work of their National Councils, the progress they had made, and the challenges they faced. The first day ended with Night Prayer at 9:00 p.m.
The Friday and Saturday morning sessions focused entirely on formation. Sister Mercedes del Carmen DONATO, SCMR (Capuchin Sisters of Mother Rubatto), addressed the topics “Forming a Working Group Called a Council” and “Conflicts within a Council.” Friar Ștefan explored the essence of the Spiritual Assistant’s service to the OFS and YouFra in a presentation entitled “Understanding Our Service to the OFS and YouFra.” There were forty-eight participants, including eight Franciscan youth. They formed working groups to explore the various topics. On Friday afternoon, they spent an hour reviewing the formation manuals.
On Saturday afternoon, the entire group traveled to the Church of San Francisco de la Alameda in Santiago, where the Minister Provincial, Friar Lino MIRANDA CASTAÑEDA, OFM, presided over Mass at 7:30 p.m. After returning to the retreat center, the day concluded with a cultural evening dedicated to Chile.
On Sunday, September 6, the day began at 8:00 a.m. with prayer, followed by group work and approval of the final document of the formation course, entitled “Commitments and Challenges.” Among the decisions made was the determination that the next Formation Course for South America will take place from April 27 to May 1, 2029, in Peru. The intensive course concluded at noon with Mass presided over by Friar Miguel Ángel ESTUPIÑÁN ZAFRA, OFM, National Spiritual Assistant of Colombia. The course provided rich opportunities for formation and sharing that will benefit the life of the OFS National Fraternities.
The Secular Franciscans attending the course came from nine countries—Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. They were accompanied by nine Spiritual Assistants: three Conventual Franciscans (from Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia), five Friars Minor (two from Chile, one from Colombia, one from Uruguay, and one from Bolivia), and one diocesan priest from Uruguay. On Saturday morning, the Provincial Delegate, Friar Fabrizio RESTANTE, OFM Conv., joined the group with two other friars.
Most participants departed Sunday at 3:00 p.m., taking with them the abundant fruits of their time together.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
