The Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary brought together the regional fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) from Moldova-Muntenia in Romania for a joyful celebration hosted this year by the local OFS fraternity in Valea Mare, Romania.
On Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., OFS members from twenty-one local fraternities gathered at the St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Valea Mare for a scheduled program. The morning began with a recitation of the Franciscan Crown Rosary, followed by a reflection on the life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, presented by the OFS National Assistant, Friar Cristian BLĂJUȚ, OFM Conv. Next, the entire fraternity gathered before the Blessed Sacrament in preparation for Mass presided over by the Most Reverend Petru SESCU, Auxiliary Bishop of Iaşi, Romania. In his homily, Bishop SESCU talked about the importance of the faith that sustained St. Elizabeth during the most challenging periods of her life.
The local OFS fraternity served an agape meal, which was a great opportunity for discussion among the more than 350 OFS members present, and the ten local Spiritual Assistants who came from various fraternities. During the feast day celebrations, the participants also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the canonical establishment of the OFS fraternity in Valea Mare, which occurred in 1924, through the careful and dedicated leadership of Friar Iosif TĂLMĂCEL, OFM Conv.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
OFS General Spiritual Assistant