On December 12-14, 2025, the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of France conducted its National Elective Chapter. The event took place at the La Clarté-Dieu Spirituality Center in Orsay, France. The OFS of France has 2,140 members, organized into 260 local fraternities and twenty-two regional fraternities. Seventy young members of Franciscan Youth (YouFra) also participate. They are distributed between four fraternities.
On Friday, December 12, at 5:00 p.m., the Capitulars arrived at the Chapter venue and attended an hour of Eucharistic adoration together. At 6:30 p.m., they prayed Evening Prayer. At 8:30 p.m., two representatives of the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS), Adolph ASSAGBA, Delegate of the OFS General Minister Tibor KAUSER, and the General Spiritual Assistant, Friar Stefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., met with the outgoing National Council to discuss the Chapter program and several issues related to its proceedings.
On Saturday, at 7:15 a.m., the Chapter program began with Morning Prayer and Mass, presided over by the Custos of the Conventual Franciscan Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in France-Belgium, Friar Jean-François Marie AUCLAIR. Starting at 9:00 a.m., the Capitulars spent the morning listening to various reports, which they then discussed and approved. At 2:15 p.m., the CIOFS representatives gave an overview of the OFS. Afterwards, Friar Stefan offered a spiritual reflection on the Canticle of the Creatures.
At 4:20 p.m., while the candidates for the new National Council were being presented in the Chapter Hall, Friar Ștefan met with the twelve spiritual assistants present. He listened to them, answered their questions, and learned more about the challenges they face and the way they guide the fraternities. After the last session of the day, the Capitulars prayed Evening Prayer. The Capitulars concluded the day with a prayer vigil from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.
On Sunday, at 9:00 a.m., the elective session of the Chapter began with Adolph ASSAGBA presiding. The forty-three Capitulars present elected Bernard CORDIER as the National Minister and Jean PIRNAY as the International Councilor. The new National Council was installed during Mass at 2:00 p.m., presided over by the Most Reverend Michel PANSARD, Bishop of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
