A pastoral visit is a privileged time of communion between the First Order, the Third Order Regular (TOR), and the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS). The Church also entrusts this visit with the mission of renewing the Franciscan evangelical spirit, ensuring fidelity to the charism and the Rule, supporting fraternal life, strengthening the bond of unity within the OFS, and promoting its more effective integration into the Franciscan Family and the Church.
In May of 2026, Silvia Noemí DIANA, a member of the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS), and Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., the General Spiritual Assistant, carried out a fraternal and pastoral visit to the OFS of Peru.
The first visit took place on Thursday, May 14 ,2026, at the San Francisco Solano Retreat House in Lima. The visitors were joined by Friar Alfredor PERALES, OFM, who is guiding the animation team of the national fraternity of Peru, since the OFS currently does not have a National Council there. Later that evening, the visitors traveled to Arequipa, where over the following days they met with the Regional Assistant, Friar Fisher VILELA HUANCAS, OFM, and all the local OFS Ministers of the region. The visitors prepared the OFS Ministers for their upcoming Regional Elective Chapter, scheduled for July 11-12, 2026. On Sunday, May 17, the visitors celebrated the Elective Chapter of the Cusco Region, and on Tuesday, May 19 , they met with the newly elected Regional Council.
On Wednesday, May 20, the visitors returned once again to the San Francisco Solano Retreat House in Lima, where they held meetings until Friday evening with the National Spiritual Assistants, the Major Superiors and their respective Delegates, the OFS members who had requested a meeting, the Commission for the Revision of the National Statutes, the Franciscan Youth animation team of Peru, and the Regional Council of the Sur-Medio Ica Region.
Saturday, May 23, was entirely dedicated to listening to the members of the five Regional Councils (Chavín, Centro Peru, Lima-Callao, Norte, and Altiplano) and having discussions with them.
Of the eight regional OFS fraternities in Peru, Lima-Callao has the largest number of local fraternities: thirty-five in total, including twenty-five active fraternities, eight experiencing difficulties, and two emerging fraternities. In addition, there are three groups of supporters, seven established Franciscan Youth fraternities, and two emerging ones. Saturday’s activities concluded at 6:00 p.m., after the visitors established a commission responsible for preparing the OFS National Elective Chapter, scheduled for September 11–12, 2026. They finalized all the details to ensure that the Chapter can take place under the best possible conditions.
The fraternal and pastoral visit concluded with the rite of admission of four young people into the local Nuestra Señora de la Piedad OFS fraternity in Lima. The admission rite took place on Sunday, May 24, the Solemnity of Pentecost, during Mass presided over by the Spiritual Assistant of the local fraternity, Friar Lucian SZCZEPAŃSKI, OFM Conv.
Throughout this period, the visitors welcomed all the OFS brothers and sisters who wished to meet with them. They listened to them, encouraged them, offered guidance, and took note of their challenges and difficulties. They also helped them get prepared for the celebration of their National Chapter. The members of the five Regional Councils showed remarkable commitment by traveling overnight by bus for six to nine hours to meet the visitors. Their dedication clearly reflects their strong desire to continue journeying together with the other national OFS fraternities.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
