The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of South Korea is one of the largest fraternities within that Order.
It has 13,642 members spread throughout fourteen regional fraternities and one hundred and forty local fraternities. Each local fraternity has between forty and one hundred members. In the capital city of Seoul, there are three regional fraternities that rotate management of a soup kitchen for the poor. The kitchen provides two hundred meals a day, five days a week. To help overcome any feelings of shame, the poor can pay one cent for each meal.
On January 26-28, 2024, the OFS National Fraternity of South Korea conducted its 19th National Elective Chapter. The event took place at the Conventual Franciscan Retreat Center in Seoul. After the introduction of delegates and guests, the National Minister greeted all present and opened the Chapter at 2:00 p.m. with prayer. The Provincial Custos, Friar Stephano KIM, OFM Cap., presided over the opening Mass. Then, various reports were presented, as well as a lecture by the Delegate of the OFS Minister General, Tibor KAUSER, Dina SHABALINA, who presided over the Chapter.
The second day began with Mass at 6:30 a.m.. The work of the Chapter resumed at 9:00 a.m. Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., was present as a representative of the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants (CAS). He gave a lecture on the theme: “Evangelical Life: Let’s Start Again.” During the afternoon session, Sung-Kun HONG was re-elected to his second term as National Minister, while Soon Chun Maria KANG was elected International Counselor. The day ended with a beautiful fraternal evening.
On the third day, the work of the Chapter continued as it had, in a serene and fraternal atmosphere. The Chapter work concluded that day with the installation of the new National Council, which took place during Mass at 2:00 p.m., presided over by the Minister Provincial, Friar Marco Jin Chol JEONG, OFM Conv.
The Chapter was truly well-prepared and celebrated in a positive manner. It was enjoyed by all eighty Capitulars and seven observers and included moments of intense prayer.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
