Santiago de Compostela (Spain), September 1995

1st International Under Ten Chapter of Mats

At the initiative of the Minister General Br Hermann Schalück, OFM, who wished to listen to what the Spirit was saying to the Order through young friars, in September 1995 the first International Under Ten Chapter of Mats was held, for friars with fewer than ten years of solemn profession. The chosen venue was Santiago de Compostela, Spain, to recall St. Francis’ pilgrimage to Santiago and the crucial importance in Christianity of pilgrimage and penance. 

More than 200 friars from 55 countries around the world took part in the meeting, which was intended to be an international experience of communion, symbolic and prophetic for the Order. The theme, “Walking Together”, was divided into several sub-themes: as fraternity; united in diversity; as pilgrims; as itinerants; in the joy of penance; towards the future. In their meetings, significant attention was also given to contemporary situations of conflict: Bosnia, Pakistan, Rwanda, countries of Eastern Europe, China. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants committed themselves to bringing life and resurrection, justice and peace, love and solidarity, unity in diversity, and participation in fraternity to the ends of the earth.

Go to the International Chapter of Mats Under Ten - Assisi 2026