Fifty years ago, Friar Stanisław OLBRYCHT of Lima, Peru; Friars Jan Andrzej PASIUT and Franciszek SOLARZ of Cracow, Poland; and Friar Stanisław ZIĘTEK of Horyniec-Zdrój, Poland; were all ordained to the priesthood together. On June 19, 2026, they gave thanks to God for the gift of their priesthood. They celebrated this important anniversary with the friars of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), who had gathered in Kalwaria Pacławska, near Przemyśl, Poland, for an Extraordinary Provincial Chapter.
In his address, the Minister Provincial, Friar Mariusz KOZIOŁ, emphasized his conviction that “the treasure” for the jubilarians is “their Franciscan vocation, the priesthood, fraternity, and the mission to which the Lord Jesus has called them.” He went on to say that they have borne witness to this throughout their lives. He then recalled what the bishop said on the day of their Ordination, explaining what the bishop meant and from that, formulated his wish that they “Live a life in conformity with the mystery of the Lord’s cross. This means offering yourselves in love, as the Lord Jesus did. The Cross is the sign of love carried through to the end, a self-giving love from which life and resurrection spring forth. Friars, as I thank you for every work you have accomplished, every service you have rendered, every effort you have made, and for your fidelity in health and in Illness, I hope that this mystery of the Lord’s cross may grow ever closer to you. May it be a source of joy and divine glory for you,” he concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the jubilarians, Friar Franciszek SOLARZ said: “As we thank God for the gift of our religious, Franciscan, and priestly vocation, today we also wish to express our gratitude to the communities in which we have lived and continue to live, for every act of kindness, goodwill, and prayer. We thank all those who have collaborated and continue to collaborate with us, our Superiors and the friars, including those who have already returned to the House of the Father.” At the end of his speech, he added: “On occasions like this, it is usually the older friars who leave something behind for the younger ones. Before I conclude, I would like to leave you with one thought: safeguard the treasure that the Lord entrusted to you together with your religious vocation. It is truly worth it!”
The Minister Provincial presented the jubilarians with commemorative medals created for the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, which the Church celebrates this year. The medals bear an inscription with the words of Pope Benedict XVI: “Be witnesses to the beauty of God.”
Friar Jan Maria SZEWEK
