On May 9-11, 2025, the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of Costa Rica celebrated its 14th Elective Chapter. The event took place at a retreat center run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, located in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
On Friday, May 9, at 7:00 p.m., after prayer in the chapel led by Friar Emmanuel RODRÍGUEZ SIBAJA, OFM Cap., the National Minister, Ricardo HERRERA SANDI, officially opened the Chapter in the assembly hall.
Most of Saturday morning was devoted to formation. Ana Maria Raffo LAOS, the Chapter President and Representative of OFS Minister General Tibor KAUSER, lectured on the theme: “You Are Love.” Next, Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv, representative of the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants (CAS), lectured on “Spiritual Care and the OFS.” Group work followed in which different reports were presented and approved. Next, there was Mass presided over by the Capuchin Franciscan Custos, Friar Cristian Mauricio MONGE RIVERA. At 7:00 p.m., the Capitulars resumed their work.
On Sunday morning, Fanny ROJAS VARGAS was elected National Minister and International Councilor. The installation of the new Council took place during Mass at 11:30 a.m., presided over by the National Spiritual Assistant, Friar Isidoro de Jesús MEJÍA HERNÁNDEZ, OFM Conv.
The two National Spiritual Assistants present, and their respective Superiors, had a fruitful discussion that ended up laying the foundation for the CAS of Costa Rica.
The Chapter was an intensive time of work conducted in an atmosphere of peace and fraternity. At 3:00 p.m. the participants―thirty-five Capitulars and two auditors―took their leave. Ana Maria and Friar Ștefan, on the other hand, stayed on to meet with the new National Council.
The OFS of Costa Rica has only 120 members in ten local fraternities, but it is a well-organized and very vibrant national fraternity.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
