On October 11-13, 2024, the elective Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of Germany was celebrated at the beautiful Conventual Franciscan friary in Schwarzenberg, Germany. The OFS national fraternity of Germany is divided into six regions and has about 1,500 members, half of whom are in Bavaria.
On Friday, October 11, at 7:00 p.m., the Capitulars enjoyed a concert in the friary church entitled “Franziskus Vir Catholicus.” It was performed by the Choralschola of Graz (Austria), under the direction of Franz Karl PRAßE. Afterwards, the outgoing National Council and the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Elizabeth in Germany, Friar Andreas MURK, offered official greetings.
On Saturday, October 12, the Chapter began with Mass and Morning Prayer. The morning session was dedicated to reports from the National Minister and the National Treasurer. Discussions about both reports followed.
Noemi Paola RICARDI presided over the elective Chapter. She is a member of the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS) and the Delegate of the OFS Minister General, Tibor KAUSER. Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., represented the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants. Ursula CLEMM was re-elected as National Minister. Twenty-two Capitulars and ten auditors were present. Noemi and Friar Ștefan met with the new National Council at 8:00 p.m., for a fraternal discussion and to offer recommendations.
On Sunday, October 13, the new National Council was installed during Mass at 9:00 a.m. in the beautiful church of the Schwarzenberg friary. Friar Andreas MURK presided. At 10:30 a.m., the work of the Chapter resumed and the Capitulars voted on priorities for the new three-year term.
The Chapter concluded with lunch. After working for three days in the Franciscan spirit, the Capitulars departed the beautiful friary in Schwarzenberg.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
