On August 13-20, 2022, the community of the Franciscanum in Assisi once again hosted a group of friars from the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis. The group was comprised of fourteen friars from communities in Poland, Slovakia and Germany. The participants from Poland came to the spiritual retreat in Assisi after having just finished an ongoing formation course in Harmęże, Poland, for friars solemnly professed ten years or more.
Friar Tomasz JANK, a member of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Poland (Gdańsk), and Friar Jerzy NOREL, the Guardian of the Franciscanum, led the retreat.
The retreat program focused on St. Francis’ spiritual journey at different times of his life, his conversion, and his discipleship of Christ.
The program included pilgrimages, fraternal discussions and visiting places that were dear to our founder, such as Assisi, Greccio, Fonte Colombo and La Verna. This well-tested retreat formula was designed to help friars relive the grace of the early days of the Order, rediscover the beauty of the Franciscan call to evangelical life and rekindle enthusiasm for missionary service.
May St. Francis, forma Minorum, guide our friars in being faithful to the Gospel and in serving the Church, society and every person in need.
Friar Jerzy NOREL