On July 17-22, 2022, the Franciscanum Friary in Assisi welcomed fifteen friars from the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO). The friars were members of our Jurisdictions in Poland, Russia and Bulgaria. They had been in Łódź, Poland, attending an ongoing formation course for friars solemnly professed for twenty-five years or more. At the end of the course, they were sent to Assisi for a spiritual retreat.
The retreat program was organized by the fraternity at the Franciscanum Friary and was led by the Guardian, Friar Jerzy NOREL. The program examined the spiritual journey of St. Francis of Assisi at various times in his life. It also focused on his conversion and his discipleship of Christ.
The retreat was a rich and beautiful experience that included a pilgrimage, fraternal discussion and visits to places that were dear to our founder. Despite some fatigue caused by a heat wave, the retreat helped the friars experience the grace of the beginnings of the Order and rediscover the beauty of the Franciscan call to the evangelical life. It also helped the friars rekindle their enthusiasm for missionary work.
May St. Francis guide our confreres as they continue to live their lives in fidelity to the Gospel, in service to the Church and to the people of Eastern Europe.
Friar Jerzy NOREL
