The OFS National Fraternity of Lithuania received his fraternal and pastoral visits to different regions from the 18th - 21st September, 2025.
The CIOFS delegation was represented by Dina Shabalina, OFS, and Br. Pedro Zitha, OFM. The visitors began their formal visit with the celebration of Mass presided over by the local and regional Spiritual Assistant Br. Arūnas Peskaitis, OFM, followed by a fraternal meeting with brothers and sisters from different local brotherhoods that make up the Vilnius region. In this region, the pastoral visitor met with the regional and local spiritual assistants: Br. Arūnas Peskaitis, OFM, Sr. Ingrida Kazlauskaite, CSSBVMI (Congregation of the Sisters of the Servant of the Immaculate Blessed Virgin Mary) and the other Regional Spiritual Assistant, Br. Juozapas Marija Zukauskas, OFM.
The following day the visitors, together with the National Council and the National Spiritual Assistant Br. Antanas Grabnicks, OFM, went to the Hill of Crosses in the Šiauliai–Panevėžys region, where he met other members of the Regional Council with their Regional Spiritual Assistant, Br. Paulius Vainikis, OFM.
They then moved to Kretinga where they were joined by the second National Spiritual Assistant, Br. Piotr Strocen OFMConv, and the permanent deacon, Reverend Nerijus Čapas, OFS, who is also a member of the National Council. The meeting continued in another region, in Klaipéda, where all the members of the OFS visited the parish of St. Bruno and the friars of the friars of the OFMConv. Afterwards, they all moved to the Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi, where they celebrated Mass, followed by another meeting with the brothers and sisters from the Telšiai region and their Regional Spiritual Assistant, Br. Astijus Kungys, OFM.
This Regional Council has raised some concerns about the entire proposal for restructuring the Regional levels of the SFO in Lithuania. This is an issue that requires continuous discussion and listening in order to arrive at appropriate solutions that do not overload the national level but rather facilitate communication and spiritual growth for all members.
The following day, the visitors and the National Council met with the Poor Clare Sisters with the aim of strengthening the bond with the Franciscan Family, especially to highlight the meaning of the common charism and the sense of belonging to the Franciscan Order in general.
The highlight of the visit was the meeting with the Bishop of the Diocese of Panevėžys, Reverend Mons. Linas Vodopjanovas, OFM, responsible for consecrated life at the Bishops' Conference of Lithuania. The main objective of this meeting was to renew the commitment and fidelity of the OFS to the local Church.
Finally, the visitors went on to the Kaunas-Vilkaviškis Region, where they were joined by Fr. Steponas Vaičiunas, a member of the diocesan clergy of that region. The Regional Council, the Regional Spiritual Assistant Br. Rolandas Taučius, OFM, and the National Council participated at Mass and the meeting with the other members of the OFS.
On their return to Vilnius, Br. Pedro and Dina met with the Minister of the Province of St. Casimir, Br. Evaldas Darulis, OFM, with whom the visitors expressed their gratitude for providing spiritual assistance to all the fraternities, despite the shortage of friars. This was an opportunity for both visitors and each member of the Council to share their experiences of life within the Order and the Church, as well as to share their joys and challenges both locally and nationally.
During this meeting, the visitors were able to realise how the National Fraternity of Lithuania has worked tirelessly to strengthen communication between each level and how they still have to work hard to ensure that each OFS fraternity collaborates to revive YouFra which for some inexplicable reason had ceased to exist. There was a common concern about how to promote vocations, as the age of OFS members is increasing, while the numbers are decreasing.
The visitors concluded their intensive four-day meeting with the National Council, during which they outlined recommendations that will contribute to the proper functioning and growth of the Order in all its dimensions.
