On June 9-12, 2026, the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of Venezuela received a fraternal and pastoral visit from the Presidency Council of the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS).
Over the course of two centuries, this fraternity has made a deeply positive impact on Venezuelan society. Among its most distinguished members one finds the recently canonized physician, St. José Gregorio HERNÁNDEZ CISNEROS; the diplomat, professor, and historian, Dr. Mario BRICEÑO IRAGORRY; the professor and historian, Dr. José Manuel NÚÑEZ PONTE; and the first female Minister General of the OFS (1984-1990) Manuela MATTIOLI FRATONI.
The OFS National Fraternity of Venezuela has approximately six hundred members, administratively divided into six regional fraternities and thirty local fraternities. In addition, it includes twelve Franciscan Youth (YouFra) fraternities, two of which are emerging, and five interest groups with a total membership of 245 young people. Eighty-two have made their promise, seventy-two are in formation, and ninety one are in the initiation period. The YouFra fraternity also includes six fraternities of Franciscan adolescents (plus two undergoing formation) and four fraternities of Franciscan children. Notably, the YouFra fraternity in Zulia has produced six young men who have gone on to become Capuchin Franciscan friars.
The CIOFS visitors, Silvia Noemi DIANA and Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., visited two local fraternities in Caracas: Chiquinquirá and La Merced. The Chiquinquirá fraternity operates a charitable community pharmacy, while La Merced is the historic fraternity where Dr. José Gregorio HERNÁNDEZ CISNEROS professed his vows on December 7, 1899. Moreover, it is the current legal headquarters of the OFS of Venezuela.
The Most Reverend Raúl BIORD CASTILLO, SDB, Archbishop of Caracas, warmly welcomed the visitors and spent more than an hour speaking with them. He expressed deep concern for the entire Franciscan Family and noted that, during this Franciscan Jubilee Year, he had already presided over Masses in six of Caracas’s eight Jubilee churches. He expressed great appreciation for the OFS. However, he hopes its members will increase their presence in society and find the courage to present concrete proposals and initiatives to the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference so that it can officially support them. He also proposed that for the Feast of the Pardon of Assisi (at the Porziuncola, August 2), the Franciscan Family should organize a public event with strong social impact, given the current relevance of the theme of forgiveness. Before concluding the meeting, he expressed regret that the Conventual Franciscans, after thirty years of fruitful service, had withdrawn from Caracas.
The visitors also conducted extended, individual meetings with the YouFra Vice-Minister, the eight members of the OFS National Council, the OFS Regional Ministers, the Major Superiors (including the Conventual Franciscan Custos, Friar Franklin Antonio DURÁN ZAMBRANO who attended via video call), and the National Spiritual Assistants from the Friars Minor and the Capuchin Franciscans. These meetings gave the CIOFS visitors a deeper understanding of OFS life in Venezuela, including its strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and daily difficulties.
It is important to highlight the specific reality of the Gran Sabana Region, which effectively functions as a mission territory. Located within the Apostolic Vicariate of Caroní, the OFS in this region plays a particularly vital role. Its four local fraternities operate as the Bishop’s active pastoral arm. The 121 OFS members play an essential role as catechists and missionaries, actively bringing the Gospel to remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
The visit concluded after the visitors shared their observations with the National Council, praising the significant development achieved over the past three years and offering pastoral recommendations.
On Friday, June 12, at 2:30 p.m., the opening Mass of the OFS National Elective Chapter of Venezuela was conducted. The Friars Minor Custos, Friar Antonio José REES LÓPEZ, presided. The Chapter took place in Caracas at the retreat center run by the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation.
After official greetings, the Capitulars read and approved the reports of the National Minister and the National Treasurer.
On Saturday, after reports from the six regions, YouFra, and other national bodies, Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI and Silvia Noemi DIANA led a formation session, which was followed by more Chapter work. During the elective session, the seventeen Capitulars present re-elected the outgoing National Minister, Sugheil SÁNCHEZ, to another term as National Minister. During the same session, Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI met with the Spiritual Assistants and formally established the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants (CAS). The Conference then elected Friar Antonio José REES LÓPEZ, OFM, as President and appointed Friar Nelson Omar ROSALES ESCALANTE, OFM Cap., as rotating Secretary.
On Sunday, June 14, at 10:00 a.m., Archbishop BIORD CASTILLO, personally visited the Chapter venue to greet the Capitulars and encourage them in their service to the OFS and the Church. He was joined by Saritza ROQUE, Director of the Center for Laity, Family, and Youth of the Archdiocese of Caracas. She also addressed the Capitulars and emphasized that the OFS should not only carry out lots of activities but also communicate them effectively so that the good work and the impact of the Franciscan charism may become more visible in the Church and in society.
The Capitulars then defined and approved the pastoral priorities for the next three-year term. The closing Mass of the Chapter was celebrated in the historic San Francisco de Asís Church, entrusted to the Society of Jesus since 1922.
The Chapter concluded at 2:00 p.m. and the Capitulars began their journey home. While most faced bus journeys lasting four to nine hours, the Capitulars from the Gran Sabana Region had to undertake a journey lasting as long as forty-eight hours.
The dedication shown by all the Capitulars was truly admirable, as was the fraternal, serene, and joyful atmosphere that prevailed throughout the entire Chapter.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
