On February 7-8, 2026, the 11th Elective Chapter of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of Uruguay was conducted at the Fazenda de la Esperanza Monte Carmelo [Farm of Hope, Mount Carmel], a former monastery for cloistered Carmelite Sisters located in the Punta de Rieles neighborhood of Montevideo, Uruguay.
This former monastery is now one of three rehabilitation centers for drug addiction and other addictions, founded by Friar Hans STAPEL, OFM, in Uruguay. The facility currently houses twenty-two young people who suffer from various forms of addiction. Interestingly, their treatment is based on work, community life, and spirituality. There are no psychologists or other professionals involved. The patients are guided solely by three coordinators who are themselves former addicts from the same center.
Two representatives of the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS), namely, Silvia Noemí DIANA, the Delegate of the OFS Minister General Tibor KAUSER, and Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., met with the OFS National Council of Uruguay on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the aforementioned center.
The Chapter opened on Saturday, February 7, at 9:00 a.m., with greetings from Matilde BELTRAME, the OFS National Minister. The morning was dedicated to hearing reports, and after discussion, approving them. At 2:30 p.m., two formative lectures were given, the first by Silvia N. DIANA and the second by Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI. At 5:00 p.m. the elective session began. The fourteen Capitulars with voting rights elected Beatriz BARDIER as National Minister and International Councilor.
The first day’s work concluded at 7:00 p.m. with Mass presided over by the National Spiritual Assistant, Friar Juan Manuel FERNÁNDEZ, OFM Conv. After dinner, the Capitulars enjoyed a fraternal evening together with around twenty-five young people from the rehabilitation center.
On Sunday morning, February 8, the Capitulars established the priorities for the next three years. At 11:00 a.m. The new Council was installed during Mass presided over Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI and animated by the young people of the center. At the end of the Mass, Friar Manuel thanked the young people for their service to the OFS during the Chapter. Then, one of the young people from the center thanked the Capitulars for choosing their residence, an eminently Franciscan place, to celebrate the National Chapter.
The National OFS Fraternity of Uruguay has only fifty-three members and six local fraternities. Although it is one of the smaller national fraternities, it has had notable members, among whom I mention Mario CAYOTO, twice Ambassador of Uruguay to the Holy See (2006–2011 and 2018–2020.
The Capitulars, after spending two intensive days together and enjoying every moment, departed around 2:30 p.m. and returned to their families.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
