The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of Ecuador has 507 professed members (366 of whom are active) and 108 members in initial formation. To provide more effective pastoral care, the national fraternity is divided into six regional fraternities and fifty-one established local fraternities, thirty-eight of which are active. In addition, there are five emerging local OFS fraternities. There are also ninety-eight members of Franciscan Youth (YouFra), organized into one emerging and six established fraternities.
On June 2-5, 2026, the Presidency Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS) made a fraternal and pastoral visit to the OFS of Ecuador. The visit was conducted by Area Councilor Silvia Noemí DIANA and Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv. YouFra President Miguel TOAPANTA was the first to meet the visitors. Later, the visitors met with the Major Superiors and their respective delegates: Friar Leandro DELGADO VÉLEZ, OFM Cap. (Custos), Friar Mirosław DUBIELA, OFM Conv (Delegate of Minister Provincial Friar Wojciech KULIG, OFM Conv.) and Friar Ángel MONTOYA, OFM (Minister Provincial), together with all members of the National Council. The visitors also traveled to the headquarters of the OFS Regional Fraternity of Ecuador Central, in the city of Latacunga, where the local fraternity owns a beautiful church and a house that regularly hosts up to thirty OFS members for regional activities.
On Friday, June 5, at 2:00 p.m., after the final meeting of the National Council—during which the work of the commission for the revision of the National Statutes was approved—the visitors presented the conclusions of their visit and offered recommendations.
At 3:00 p.m. that day, the elective National Chapter began. The Chapter took place at the “Nuestra Señora de Fátima” Spirituality Center in Riobamba, Ecuador, operated by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate. The Chapter participants began with the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. After initial greetings, the National Minister and the National Treasurer presented their reports. The first day of the Chapter concluded at 10:00 p.m.
Each day of the Chapter began at 6:30 a.m. with the recitation of the Franciscan Crown [Rosary].
On Saturday morning, the participants heard the remaining reports, worked in groups, and attended a formation session led by Silvia DIANA on the theme: “Challenges for Today’s Secular Franciscan.” At the same time, Friar Ștefan conducted a formation meeting with the National Spiritual Assistants. During this meeting, the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants was officially established, with Friar Galo FLOR, OFM Cap., serving as President and Friar José Antonio JIMA, OFM, serving as Acting Secretary. At 2:00 p.m., Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI led an in-depth spiritual formation session on the theme: “St. Francis, a Man of Adoration and Encounter.”
Silvia Noemí DIANA presided over the elective session of the National Chapter. The fifty-four Capitulars present elected Manuel MOREIRA as the new National Minister. After a fraternal evening organized by the YouFra fraternity of Riobamba, the second day came to a close.
During Mass on Sunday, June 7, the new National Council was installed. Approximately 80% of the members come from the Coast Region. Later, Silvia Noemí DIANA and Friar Ștefan offered a formation session to the newly elected Council members.
Despite its challenges and shortcomings, the Chapter was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. After the closing session at 2:00 p.m., the Capitulars returned home, facing journeys lasting between four and ten hours.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
