On June 13-27, 2025, the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS) made a fraternal and pastoral visit to the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of Vietnam.
The visit was conducted by Francis PARK, Councilor for the Asia-Oceania area and Delegate of the OFS General Minister Tibor KAUSER. He was joined by the OFS General Spiritual Assistant, Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., representing the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants (CAS).
The purpose of the visit was to rekindle the evangelical Franciscan spirit, ensure fidelity to the charism and the Rule, help the life of the fraternity and give it greater support from the National Council, strengthen the bond of unity within the Order, and promote the fraternity’s more effective integration into the Franciscan Family and the Church.
The first part of the visit (June 13-17) took place in the north of the country, at the OFS Regional Fraternity of Hanoi. It has eleven local fraternities: five are located in Hanoi city and six are in the surrounding area. The visitors met with the Regional Council and visited four local fraternities in Hanoi, as well as the St. Bonaventure fraternity in Trung Hiếu, 120 km [75 mi.] from Hanoi. They listened, shared their joys and difficulties, and spoke encouragingly about the Franciscan journey of the fraternity. This region was severely tested until the early 1990s, having been deprived of the necessary spiritual support by government authorities. The second part of the visit (June 21-26) was in southern Vietnam, in the Hồ Chí Minh (Sài Gòn) region. The schedule included meetings with:
- Friar Gioan Thiên Chúa NGUYỄN (Phước) Minister Provincial of the Friars Minor (Sunday, June 22).
- The Most Reverend Đức Tổng Giám mục Giuse NGUYỄN (Năng) Archbishop of Thành-Phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam (Monday, June 23).
- The OFS National Minister, the National Secretary and the National Treasurer (Tuesday, June 24).
- The National Formator and the OFS representative for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (Wednesday, June 25).
- The National Vice Minister, vocation promoters, and local fraternities of the Đa Kao district (Thursday, June 26).
Currently, the OFS National Fraternity of Vietnam has almost 6,315 members, of which: 1,214 are in formation for profession, 604 are temporarily professed, and 4,497 are perpetually professed. They are distributed across 259 local fraternities, which are organized into twenty regional fraternities.
The Franciscan Youth (YouFra) organization has 1,965 members, distributed across seventy local fraternities, which are organized into thirteen regional fraternities.
There are eighty-two Spiritual Assistants, almost exclusively Friars Minor, with the support of some sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, and some diocesan priests. To ensure there is adequate guidance, the Minister Provincial of the Friars Minor has generously assigned three friars to serve the OFS: an OFS National Assistant, a Youfra National Assistant and an OFS Formation Officer.
During the visit, each day began with Mass and Morning Prayer at 5:00 a.m. in the friary chapel. It ended at 6:30 p.m. with dinner.
The visit concluded on Friday, June 27. The visitors thanked the members of the National Council for their hospitality, openness, and willingness to provide access to their records, which were verified and signed.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
