The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) in Australia has 509 members, of whom 263 are active and 246 less active due to age and great distances. They are distributed in 22 active Fraternities, among the 48 canonically erected Fraternities, grouped in 4 regions: New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. This national fraternity received the fraternal and pastoral visit from Tibor Kauser, Minister General of the OFS, and Br. Stefan Acatrinei OFMConv, representative of the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants (CAS), from the 9th to 12th September 2025.
The Visitors arrived on the evening of Monday the 8th September at the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, in Baulkham Hills (Sydney). On Tuesday, the 9th September, after the Eucharistic celebration at 8:30 a.m., they met with the National Council and defined the programme of the Visit. At 11.30 a.m. they had the opportunity to meet H.E. Msgr. Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFMConv, Bishop of Parramatta, who emphasized the importance and value of the OFS Fraternities in his Diocese, especially in such a secularized society. Amongst the various topics discussed, he also recalled the influence of his father, a secular Franciscan, on his vocation. In the afternoon, at 2:00 p.m., the meeting with the Council resumed with the presentation of the report on the activities carried out and a reflection on the future of the national fraternity. The prayer of Vespers, at 5.45 pm, concluded the day.
On Wednesday morning, at 10:00 a.m., the dialogue with the National Council continued regarding the apostolate and missionary activities of the National Fraternity. In the afternoon, the documents and the archive of the OFS were verified. At 6:00 p.m., the Visitators met with the local Fraternity of St. Francis of Leichhardt (Sydney), which shared with them the program of monthly meetings.
Thursday morning was dedicated to the pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Mary MacKillop, the only canonized Australian saint; in the afternoon a meeting was held via Zoom with the members of the various local fraternities scattered throughout the country.
On Friday morning there was a meeting with the Regional Spiritual Assistants, who shared the joys and hardships of their service. The greatest difficulty is represented by the closure of the friaries, due to the decrease in the number of friars, and by the great distances to be covered to reach the local Fraternities. On the same morning, the Regional Ministers met with the Visitors, presenting their Fraternities and ongoing activities. At 11.30 a.m., the Visitators shared the conclusions of the Visit with the National Council.
The last act of the Visit was the meeting with the Major Superiors: Br. Robert Stewart OFMCap, Minister Provincial; Br. Philip Miscamble OFM, Minister Provincial; Br. David Francis Blowey OFMConv, Provincial Delegate. Since it was desired that the Major Superiors could also participate in the dinner with the Chapter members and experience a moment of Fraternity, a meeting was held at 5:00 p.m., during the Chapter break. At the end, OFS Minister General Tibor Kauser and Br. Stefan Acatrinei thanked the Major Superiors for the spiritual and pastoral care offered to the OFS in Australia.
