On January 26-28, 2018, the National Elective Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order [OFS] of Korea was held at the Friars Minor Conventual Retreat Center in Seoul.

Mr. Tibor KAUSER, the OFS Minister General, presided. He was assisted by the OFS General Assistant, Friar Alfred PARAMBAKATHU, OFM Conv. The theme of the Chapter was: “As the Father Has Sent Me, So I Send You” (John 20:21). The opening Mass was presided over by Friar Leonard KIM, OFM, the current President of the Conference of Spiritual Assistants to the Secular Franciscan Order in Korea.
Eighty-seven of the eighty-nine Capitulars summoned were present. On the first day, Tibor KAUSER gave a presentation on the theme of the Chapter. On the second day, Saturday, Friar Alfred spoke about spiritual assistance in light of the current OFS Rule and Constitutions.
Also on the second day, Friar Marco Jincheol JEONG, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Korea, presided over Mass. Later that day, Mr. Joseph SON was elected to his first term as OFS National Minister.
The next morning, Tibor, Friar Alfred, and Mr. Augustine YOON, Councilor of the Presidency, participated in the monthly meeting of a local OFS fraternity. Afterwards, they visited the OFS national office. Minister Provincial Friar Ho MYUNG-HWAN, OFM, presided over the closing Mass, during which the new OFS National Minister and OFS National Council were installed by Tibor KAUSER.
After the Chapter, Tibor and Friar Alfred met with both the outgoing and incoming OFS Council members. The entire Chapter took place in a spirit of discussion, dialogue and deep fraternity.

Friar Alfred PARAMBAKATHU, OFS General Assistant