On the 7th and 8th February, 2025, the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of Zimbabwe celebrated its Elective Chapter at “Tafara - Our Lady of the Angels - Franciscan Friars OFM”.
The meeting began on Friday evening with the prayer of vespers, followed by dinner and then the opening of the Chapter with the greeting of the outgoing National Minister addressed to the capitulars and members of the CIOFS, represented by the Minister General Tibor Kauser, OFS and Br. Pedro Zitha, OFM, representing the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants (CAS). Afterwards, each member of the outgoing National Council shared the many challenges and joys of fraternity with those present.
On Saturday morning, all 13 capitulars were present, including the 2 National Spiritual Assistants, Br. Elvis Gwangwava, OFMCap and Br. Nicholas Banhwa, OFM. After the praise, the capitulars resumed their work with the presentation of the reports of the National Minister, the formator and the outgoing treasurers. This was followed by comments and questions from the capitulars and spiritual assistants. Most of the capitulars appreciated the report of the National Minister and gave some concrete suggestions on how to move forward in the future and face the challenges that the national fraternity is facing.
Later, the National Council began the elective session chaired by the Minister General, Tibor Kauser, OFS, in which Inviolata Nhunduru, OFS (second from the right in the cover photo) was elected, both as National Minister and as International Councilor. The elective session culminated with photographs of the new National Council.
In the afternoon, the National Spiritual Assistant Br. Elvis presented the report of the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants, followed by the presentation of the Minister General on the theme “Our Specific Vocation in the Secular Franciscan Order”. Finally, the installation of the new National Council took place during the Mass celebrated by Br. Pedro Zitha, OFM and concelebrated by Br. Elvis Gwangwava, OFMCap and Br. Nicholas Banhwa, OFM.
After the Mass, fraternal agape followed with delicacies from Zimbabwe.
