On September 10-15, 2025, fourteen friars from the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO) participated in a retreat in Assisi.
The retreat was organized and led by the General Secretariat for Formation. It was part of an ongoing program, including lectures, at the Conventual Franciscan major seminary in Łódź, Poland. The retreat brought together friars who are celebrating their 25th anniversary of solemn vows this year.
The friars traveled from Poland, the United States, Sweden, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic and were welcomed at the Franciscanum Friary in Assisi. Each day of the retreat was marked by communal recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and Mass celebrated in various places that were significant in the life of St. Francis. The friars also had time for personal prayer and made pilgrimages to several Franciscan sites in Assisi. The final day of the retreat involved visits to Mount La Verna and Gubbio. In the days that followed, the friars visited the Seraphicum College in Rome as well as the Jubilee sites in the city.
The participants extend their special thanks to the friars of the Franciscanum in Assisi for their hospitality, helpfulness, and service. Special thanks to Friar Wiesław PYZIO for the Mass he celebrated at the tomb of St. Francis, for his time, and for the guided tour of the Basilica. The participants also thank the Custos of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, Friar Marco MORONI, and all the friars of the Sacred Convent for their fraternal welcome during the community dinner. Finally, the participants thank the friars of the Seraphicum community in Rome for their hospitality and help in organizing the trips.
May the Lord bless everyone!
Friar Piotr STANISŁAWCZYK
