From the 4th to 7th September 2025, the National Elective Chapter of the OFS of Slovakia was held at the convent of the Sestry Františkánky Premenenia Pána (The Franciscan Sisters of the Transfiguration) in the village of Melice-Lieskowe. The Chapter was presided over by Dina Shabalina, OFS, CIOFS Presidency Councilor, delegated by Minister General Tibor Kauser, OFS, and witnessed by Br. Pedro Zitha, OFM, representative of the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants (CAS).
The opening Mass was celebrated on Thursday afternoon by the National Assistant Br. Josef Konc, OFMCap, and followed by the meeting of the outgoing Council and the intervention of Dina on "Service Leadership" and Br. Pedro entitled "What does it mean to be a member of the OFS in the contemporary world".
On Friday, the 5th September, other Capitulars and another national assistant, Br. Róbert Jozef Chabada, OFM, arrived: a total of 27 Capitulars plus 5 observers. This day was dedicated to the speakers of the National Minister and the Treasurer; Comments and approval followed later.
The participants decided to discuss together the proposals regarding the direction that the OFS in Slovakia can take to better revive its identity as a secular Order committed to living the Gospel today.
Saturday morning was dedicated to the election of the new National Council: Damián Berec was re-elected National Minister and Lucia Spodniaková International Councilor.
After the election of the new National Council, the opportunity arose to implement what had been recommended during the pastoral visit and for some reasons still pending, namely the formation of the Conference of the National Spiritual Assistant in Slovakia. Br. Stanislav Rok, OFMConv, was unanimously appointed as rotating President for a period of three years, and Br. Róbert Jozef Chabada, OFM, as Secretary of the CAS of Slovakia.
In the afternoon, the work of the groups was carried out followed by the presentations, and then concluded the day with the celebration of the Mass - in which the new Council was installed - presided over by the National Assistant Br. Stanislav Rok, OFMConv and concelebrated by the other National Assistants already mentioned, Br. Róbert and Br. Josef, together with Br. Pedro.
On Sunday morning, the concluding Mass was presided over by Br. Róbert, who reminded the Secular Franciscans of the need to put Christ at the center of their life, vocation and mission, and to dedicate themselves totally to the service of God with all their heart.
After the Eucharistic celebration, the Chapter members went to the Chapter Hall to listen to the speech of the newly elected National Minister and reflect together on key topics for the next three years, to approve the conclusions and resolutions of the Chapter, which ended with a fraternal agape followed by the farewell to the Chapter members.
