by Virginija Mickute, OFS
From June 2–8, 2025, the International Chapter of Mats was held at St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi. Fr. Massimo Fusarelli, OFM, Minister General, and his Definitory envisioned this Chapter as a synodal journey involving the entire Franciscan Family – friars, sisters, and laypeople – to prophetically renew the identity of the Friars Minor.
The Chapter brought together 150 participants, including over 20 Secular Franciscans (OFS) – to reflect together on the future of the Franciscan Family. Each of the thirteen OFM Conferences sent nine delegates (four friars, two sisters, and three laypersons). The OFS delegates came from national fraternities in Spain, Italy, Romania, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Angola, Togo, Zimbabwe, the Republic of South Africa, the Philippines, South Korea, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, and the United States.
Held during Pentecost, the Chapter recalled the historic 1221 gathering at the Portiuncola. It opened with a candlelit procession from the Paschal Candle of the Portiuncola to the Domus Pacis. The first two days focused on listening to presentations summarizing synodal reflections. The following days addressed three key themes: Embodying the Charism, Living the Gospel of Fraternity, and Responding to the Mission. Reflections from friars, sisters, and laypeople guided these discussions, which continued through the World Café method, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and synthesis of ideas into a Final Document.
Participants celebrated liturgies in English, Italian, and Spanish, and prayed together during meaningful moments such as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Pentecost Vigil, and a pilgrimage to the tombs of St. Francis and St. Clare. Evenings included fraternal recreation, with participants sharing traditional dresses and souvenirs, fostering rich cultural exchange.
The Chapter concluded with a moment of thanksgiving and the distribution of TAU crosses to the delegates of all OFM Conferences. On Pentecost Sunday, a Eucharistic celebration marked both the close of the Chapter and the opening of the Plenary Council, which will present the Final Document as a proposal for the 2027 OFM General Chapter.
The full text of the Final Document of the International Chapter of Mats 2025 is available [here].
Articles 23–27 of the Final Document emphasize the importance of collaboration and communion within the Franciscan Family. In particular, Articles 4 and 26 highlight the relationships between the Friars Minor, the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS), and Franciscan Youth (YouFra):
- A privileged locus (place) of the Spirit’s action is the process of discernment in community, in which the gifts and various ministries of the fraternity, of religious women and lay people who share our charism (OFS and YouFra and other Franciscan-hearted people) can be recognized and valued.
- In some regions, it is noted that friars encounter considerable difficulties in accompanying Franciscan religious communities, the YouFra, or the OFS, due to the small number of friars, the great distances, and other logistical factors. It has also been noted that, in some cases, there is a lack of interest on the part of the friars themselves in accompanying these realities. Furthermore, it has been emphasized that in certain places, not only the friars but also the sisters tend to devote themselves more to their own youth groups than to the YouFra. In relation to this point, the Chapter of Mats recognizes the need for greater commitment and dedication in the pastoral accompaniment of the OFS and the YouFra, and that assistants receive adequate formation, avoiding purely formal appointments, so as to ensure serious, competent accompaniment consistent with the Franciscan charism.
The official photo gallery of the Chapter of Mats is available on Flickr, and the video playlist can be viewed on the OFM YouTube Channel.
All photos displaying the logo are owned by the OFM Communications Office.