The CIOFS Presidency greets and acknowledges the work done by the Hungarian National Council in supporting the organization of the XII SFO General Chapter.

On November 10, 2008, the CIOFS Presidency met with the Hungarian SFO National Council. During this first day of the Presidency's meeting, the General Minister, Encarnación del Pozo, expressed her gratitude to the Hungarian national fraternity for their assistance in organizing the XII SFO General Chapter. This Presidency meeting has, as its primary objective, finalizing the preparation for this Chapter. Encarnación expressed her support to the Hungarian Council realizing the efforts required to organize such a Chapter. This task, she said, would have not been possible without their generous support. She also expressed her great joy at being able to celebrate the Chapter in Hungary, the homeland of St. Elizabeth, on the occasion of the VIII Centennial Anniversary of her birth.

The Hungarian SFO National Minister, Béla Németh, also expressed his joy in hosting this Chapter, while at the same time acknowledging the great effort that this has entailed. He indicated that "when we began, we didn't know what we were getting into, but it has also been a blessing for us".

Béla also recalled the words used by every local Minister during the rite of profession of new members recalling that "becoming one of us gives us great joy" while, on the other hand, this also implies that "we belong to you". Béla was very moved as he expressed his deep sense of being among brothers and sisters.

This meeting also gave the Presidency the opportunity to become more acquainted with the details regarding the solemn liturgical celebration to be held at the Cathedral of Esztergom to close the VIII Centennial Anniversary of St. Elizabeth's birth. This celebration will take place on the 17th of November, and will be attended by the Capitulars as well as the Hungarian Franciscan Family. This solemn Eucharist will be presided by Cardenal Laszlo Paskai, and will be aired on Hungarian Radio Maria.