HUNGARY, 21 Nov. 2008 – The General Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order endorsed a document to guide the process for incorporation to SFO of young people belonging to Youfra. Youfra is the branch of secular young people of Franciscan Family, organically associated to Secular Franciscan Order.

With the endorsement, young people fascinated with St. Francis of Assisi who wish to pursue a vocation may begin the process within the Youfra and then continue with a regular Secular Franciscan fraternity. Such youth may begin a double journey, continuing with Youfra because of its dynamic experiences with other young people and at the same time getting spiritual nourishment for their vocation with the Secular Franciscan fraternity.

Individual YouFra members, or even an entire Youfra fraternity, may be presented to a Secular Franciscan Fraternity Council for admission on the journey towards life-long profession.

The recommendation also encourages fraternities at all levels to journey with and help foster Youfra, with the hope that fraternity spiritual assistants would be available to the youth activities.

During the discussion leading up to the endorsement, General Minister Encarnación del Pozo told the assembly:

"The young Franciscans are not the future of our Order. They are the present... They also need accompaniment in their growth."

She said Franciscan youth and Secular Franciscans learn from one another. While meeting with youth in Croatia, she said, "I told the young people I need to learn from them in living out my vocation."

Youfra Spiritual Assistant Ivan Matic, OFM, called the endorsement an "important moment for the Chapter and for Youfra," and said, "Youfra closes one chapter and opens another in its history." He thanked outgoing Youfra international councilor Xavi Ramos and his team for their hard work in preparing the recommendation document.

General Minister del Pozo then introduced Youfra's newly elected international councilor, Ana Fruk, who arrived from Croatia the previous evening.