The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of Mexico has 10,528 members. 7,053 of them are active while 3,475 are inactive due to illness, advanced age, or other reasons. There are 1,250 canonically-erected local fraternities. 485 of them are currently inactive. To ensure better organization, the National Fraternity is divided into twenty-five regional fraternities. The Franciscan Youth (YouFra) has 846 members, spread out among twelve regional fraternities.
On Friday, September 26, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., The OFS of Mexico conducted an elective Chapter at the Casa de Oración Valle de la Misericordia of the Friars Minor, located in Guadalajara, State of Jalisco, Mexico. The Chapter began with Mass presided over by the OFS National Spiritual Assistant, Friar Fausto de Jesús RAMÍREZ ROSARIO, OFM Conv. At 5:00 p.m., the reports from the outgoing National Council were presented. After dinner, the Capitulars resumed their work, which concluded at 11:00 p.m..
The second day of the Chapter began at 7:00 a.m. with Morning Prayer and Mass, presided over by the National Spiritual Assistant, Friar Juan Pablo CABRERA RODRÍGUEZ, OFM. Work resumed at 9:00 a.m. with a speech by the OFS International Councilor (CIOFS), Ana María RAFFO LAOS, who informed the Capitulars of the findings and recommendations of the fraternal visit conducted by the OFS Minister General, Tibor KAUSER. The morning proceedings continued until 1:00 p.m. with group work and the presentation of proposed priorities for the next three years. In the same context, the representative of the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants (CAS), Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., met with the National Spiritual Assistants of the Friars Minor, the Conventual Franciscans and the Capuchin Franciscans along with the five Regional Spiritual Assistants present.
At 3:00 p.m., Friar Ștefan gave a lecture entitled, “The Role of the Spiritual Assistant.” It served as a prelude to the elective session, which began at 4:00 p.m. and was presided over by Ana María RAFFO LAOS, the Delegate of the OFS Minister General. The eighty-one Capitulars present with voting rights elected Clemente Eduardo IBÁÑEZ PRESTADO as the National Minister and International Councilor. The day concluded with a festive cultural event: a Noche Mexicana (Mexican Evening).
On Sunday morning, the priorities determined for the next three years were approved, and the new National Council was installed during Mass at noon, presided over by Friar Stefan. After lunch, Ana María and Friar Stefan met with the members of the outgoing National Council and the members of the new National Council.
Ninety-four members attended the Chapter which was characterized by intensive work, prayer, and fraternity conducted in an atmosphere of peace and joy. At 3:00 p.m., the Chapter proceedings concluded.
Friar Stefan ACATRINEI
