In a quiet corner of Rome, within the familiar walls of the Seraphicum Complex, two important events in the life of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) recently took place. One was the meeting of the OFS Secretariat for Formation and the other was the Meeting of the OFS Presidency Council.
The OFS Secretariat for Formation is a permanent structure within the Secular Franciscan Order and is tasked with providing guidelines for the ongoing formation of the entire Order. Its seven members come from around the world. Over the course of the six-year term, they meet several times via the Zoom Internet platform and three times in person. Their latest in-person meeting was held Sunday to Friday, April 12-17, 2026. The members discussed a report on experiences gained during meetings with national formators, the Africa project, the virtual library, formation courses, the “Concordance,” and various other materials that were already prepared or are currently being developed.
On Saturday, April 18, at 5:00 p.m., the OFS Presidency Council met for its ordinary spring session. The agenda turned out to be particularly involved, with over a hundred items, each of which received the time needed for discussion. The main priority was the report from the Minister General of the Conventual Franciscan Order, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, on the pastoral visit he made in November of 2025 to the OFS Presidency Council on behalf of the Conference of Ministers General of the Franciscan First Order and the Third Order Regular (TOR). The members of the Presidency Council seriously analyzed Friar Carlos’s report, point by point, in order to be able to improve their service to the Order.
On Tuesday afternoon, April 21, Blair MATHESON, an Anglican Franciscan, who attended the meeting in person, and Carolyn TOWNES (OFS) who attended the meeting online via Zoom, reported on their work for Franciscan International, giving updates on projects just completed and those currently underway.
On Wednesday, April 22, at 12:30 p.m., the Presidency Council had a fraternal discussion with the Minister General of the TOR, Friar Amando TRUJILLO CANO, and his Definitory. After lunch at the General Curia of the TOR, the Presidency Council made a brief visit to the Capuchin Franciscan San Lorenzo da Brindisi International College to assess the conditions of the venue selected for the upcoming OFS General Elective Chapter. Work then resumed at 5:00 p.m. at the Seraphicum.
Each day, from 7:15 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., the Presidency Council met together to pray, work, discern, and share the joy and effort of every single moment. The intensive week concluded on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
