On September 3-8, 2023, 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 at their favorite location, the “Erlebachova Bouda” (Erlebach’s Mountain Resort) in the Giant Mountains of the Czech Republic.
The week was dedicated to fraternal meetings, conversations, community celebration of Mass, prayer, reflection and rest. One important element during this event were the lectures by our confrere, Friar Zdzisław KIJAS, the Postulator General. The theme of his reflections during the week was the 800th anniversary of the approval of the Later Rule of St. Francis of Assisi. The speaker also referred to the mystery of the Christmas in Greccio, where St. Francis created the first nativity scene and spiritually experienced the “living Bethlehem”.
It was a beautiful and blessed week, spent in a wonderful place, amidst natural, mountainous surroundings, with a welcoming community in a pleasant and fraternal atmosphere.
Friar Vladimír HUBÁLOVSKÝ
