(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Summer 2025  Issue #116)

by Mary Frances Charsky, OFS

International Councilor

Our relationship with the International Fraternity, CIOFS, begins with all of us being brothers and sisters of Secular Franciscans around the world. I recall former National Minster, Tom Bello, OFS, telling us that we are members of four fraternities: the local, Regional, National and International Fraternities. We are connected to all Franciscans around the world.

The International Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order is guided and animated by the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS). It is organized and functions in conformity with the OFS Rule, the General Constitutions, the Ritual and the Statutes.

The International Council is made up of seventy International Councilors elected by the National Fraternities in the world, the CIOFS Presidency (of elected officers and Councilors), representatives of Franciscan Youth (YouFra) and the four General Spiritual Assistants.

The objective of every level of the Order is to help each brother and sister attain holiness according to one’s own personal Secular Franciscan vocation. We live in fraternity, always striving for unity with one another.

It is my joy to serve as the International Councilor for OFS-USA! Being together with sisters and brothers throughout the world is both enlightening and heartwarming! It is my responsibility to participate in the General Chapters which are scheduled every three years. Communication between CIOFS and the National Fraternity is expected as well as speaking/voting at the General Chapters in the name of the National Fraternity that I represent.

Here is a new logo and brand design for CIOFS. “A circle of rays bursting out from the Tau, like the sun shining on the secular world” is the description according to their website https://www.ciofs.info. The logo can be used with or without words and you will see it on the letters that Minister General Tibor Kauser, OFS, writes to us.

We are blessed to have the current Vice-Minister General, Mary Stronach, OFS, from the United States serving on the Presidency. Mary is the first member form the USA to serve on the Presidency during a six-year term. Every six years there is a General Chapter for elections. The interim three-year Chapter meets to address the theme, priorities, budget and statutes of the International Fraternity.

We are fortunate to have Ana Maria Raffo Laos, OFS, from Peru, as the CIOFS contact for the OFS-USA. Ana Maria and Fr. Tomas Ginga Panzo Suva, OFM Cap., General Spiritual Assistant, are coming to preside and witness the OFS-USA national elections in September 2025.

Secular Franciscans worldwide are encouraged to be compelling witnesses to build God’s Kingdom through their everyday lives in a spirit of charity following the Gospel. We realize that our vocation is not just for ourselves. We are called to bring Christ into the world by following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.

Please read Vox Franciscana, the international OFS newsletter in digital form found at https://ciofs.info/news/vox-franciscana/ It is edited by Bob Stronach, OFS, from the USA. You will see photographs of national fraternities around the world during elections, visitations and YouFra gatherings. We truly are a global Franciscan family!

From left to right, CIOFS general spiritual assistant to the OFS Fr. Tomas Ginga Panzo Suva, OFM Cap.; secretary Susan Ronan, OFS; councilor Chris Leone, OFS; international councilor Mary Frances Charsky, OFS; minister Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS; vice minister Diane Menditto, OFS; treasurer Christine Blood, OFS; council Corinne Lorenzet, OFS; and CIOFS election presider Ana Maria Raffo Laos, OFS.

A new National Executive Council was elected to a three-year term on Saturday, September 13, at the annual Chapter meeting at the Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville, MD.

Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS, was re-elected minister for a second term.

Also re-elected were vice minister Diane Menditto, OFS; secretary Susan Ronan, OFS; and international councilor Mary Frances Charsky, OFS.

Elected to their first terms on the NEC were treasurer Steve Roszhart, OFS, and councilors Christine Blood, OFS; Chris Leone, OFS; and Corrine Lorenzet, OFS.

Diane Menditto was elected alternate international councilor.

The election concluded a four-day meeting of regional ministers, NEC members, Conference of National Spiritual Assistants (CNSA), and observers.

The NEC members were installed at a Mass following the election by Fr. Tomas Ginga Panzo Suva, OFM Cap, CIOFS general spiritual assistant to the OFS.  Election presider was Ana Maria Raffo Laos, OFS, of Peru.