On July 13-20, 2024, the Franciscanum community in Assisi hosted a group of friars from the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO) who were celebrating their 25th anniversary of solemn profession.
There were eight friars in the group, all members of the three Provinces of Poland. After completing a continuing formation course for solemnly professed friars in Łódź-Łagiewniki, Poland, they came to Assisi for a spiritual retreat.
The course was entitled: “Francis of Assisi – Icon of a Converted Man.” It was led by Friar Tomasz JANK of Gdańsk, Poland, who presented the spiritual journey of St. Francis at various moments in his life, during his conversion and in his following of Christ.
Despite the heat of the Italian summer, the retreat proved to be a rich and beautiful spiritual experience. It was punctuated by reflections, pilgrimages, fraternal discussion and visits to places dear to our founder. To the friars celebrating their 25th anniversary of solemn vows, the retreat helped them relive the grace of the origins of the Order and discover the beauty of the Franciscan vocation. It helped them live the Gospel and proclaim it with their lives and words.
May St. Francis guide our confreres in living their lives with fidelity to the Gospel, in serving the Church and in serving the society to which they are sent.
Friar Jerzy NOREL
