On September 8-12, 2024, the friars of the Province of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in the Czech Republic met for their yearly fraternity and formation week. The event was held in Špindlerův Mlýn, a town located in the Giant Mountains of the Czech Republic, on the border with Poland.
The friars stayed at the Hotel St. Francis, which is owned by a friendly Catholic family that also built a small chapel dedicated to St. Francis where Mass could be celebrated.
This year’s lecturer was Friar Tomasz CZAJKA of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow). He is the Rector of the seminary in Cracow and has studied Franciscan spirituality at the Antonianum University in Rome. The main theme of the reflections was the 800th anniversary of St. Francis receiving the stigmata. This week was also an opportunity to learn more about the current life of the Province.
Friar Tomáš LESŇÁK, the Assistant General of the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO) was the guest of honor. He gave a presentation on the work of the General Curia and the ongoing preparations for the General Chapter. Friar Martin KOLLÁR, the Custos of the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Slovakia was also present during the week.
The weather was rainy this year, so there was no opportunity for long walks in the mountains. When the friars returned to their friaries, they found that floodwaters had submerged our church and friary in Krnov.
Friar Stanisław GRYŃ
