From July 29 to August 2, 2026, five hundred members of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of the United States gathered for a National Congress at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A., to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the transitus of St. Francis and to “rekindle the flame” of their vocation. This was a significant turnout, representing nearly 20% of the entire National Fraternity, which has approximately 9,300 members divided into thirty regional fraternities.
The Congress began at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 29 with opening remarks from the National Minister of the OFS in the United States., Jane DeROSE-BAMMAN. She highlighted the happy coincidence of the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the transitus of St. Francis occurring at the same time as the celebration of this Congress, which is dedicated to prayer, formation, and fraternity. She also welcomed some distinguished guests, including OFS Minister General Tibor KAUSER, OFS Vice Minister General Mary Teresa STRONACH, Area Councilor Anna Maria RAFFO LAOS, and the representative of the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants (CAS), Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv.
At 4:40 p.m., the opening Mass began with the Most Reverend John STOWE, OFM Conv., Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky, presiding.
The program of the Congress was full and well-organized. Each day began with Morning Prayer at 7:30 a.m. and concluded at 9:00 p.m. with post-dinner recreational activities. Eucharistic Adoration took place on Friday evening.
A significant portion of the Congress was dedicated to formation. On Thursday, Friar Bill SHORT, OFM, gave a lecture entitled: “From Wounds to Glory: The Transitus of St. Francis.” On Friday, Dr. Darleen PRYDS gave a lecture entitled: “The Spirituality of Presence: Donna Jacopa and the Franciscan Practice of Caring and Being Cared For.” On Saturday, Friar Wayne HELLMANN, OFM Conv., gave a lecture entitled: “Franciscan Year 2026: Re-reading Pope Leo’s Prayer for Peace Addressed to St. Francis.”
The lectures were followed by group work, discussion sessions with the speakers, and plenary assemblies dedicated to various topics, including “Living the Gospel” and “Service Projects.” Each afternoon at 4:30 p.m., the Congress gathered for Mass, animated by a choir made up of OFS members.
The participation of forty candidates discerning admission to the OFS gave the Congress special significance. The candidates took an active part in the various activities and contributed to the fraternal spirit of the gathering.
One of the most anticipated moments came on Saturday at 1:15 p.m., when the Most Reverend Archbishop Gabriele Giordano CACCIA, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, presented Pope Leo XIV’s message to the OFS National Fraternity of the United States, with a particular greeting to the members of the Congress.
At 4:30 p.m., the Apostolic Nuncio himself presided over Mass, with Bishop John STOWE and the OFS Spiritual Assistants concelebrating. The Apostolic Nuncio also took part in the afternoon activities and in the discussion the Congress conducted with the four representatives of the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS), namely the OFS Minister General, the Vice Minister General, the Area Councilor Anna Maria RAFFO LAOS, and the representative of CAS.
The Apostolic Nuncio also attended the day’s final recreational event, “Franciscans Got Talent.”
The Congress concluded on Sunday after five days filled with prayer, formation, and fraternal life. Having rekindled the flame of their Franciscan vocation, the participants returned to their respective fraternities to continue living and bearing witness to the Gospel in their daily lives.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
