On October 4, 2018, the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi, four students from Friars Minor Conventual major seminary in Cracow (Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland) made their solemn profession.
Friars Arkadiusz GÓRA, Artur SPODAR, Dawid NOWAK and Mateusz GLIWA, standing before the community, promised to live in chastity, poverty and obedience in perpetuity.
Religious, priests, family members, friends and acquaintances gathered in the Basilica of St. Francis in Cracow, to pray for them that “with generosity they might constantly walk the path they have enthusiastically chosen”, asking the intercession of all the saints—particularly the Franciscan ones.
The Minister Provincial spoke openly, saying that this generous sacrifice is not easy, and that “this closeness to Jesus costs a lot, because we must offer him not only our words and emotions, but our whole being, all that we have and all that we are.”
In the end, he directly addressed the newly professed with the words of St. Francis: “O beloved brothers and sons, forever blessed, listen to me, hear the voice of your Father. Great things we have promised, greater things have been promised to us. Let us observe the former and yearn for the latter. Pleasure is short and punishment is eternal. Suffering is slight and glory, infinite. Many are called, few are chosen. All are repaid. Brothers, while we have time, let us do good.”
Friar Jan M. SZEWEK, Spokesman for the Province of Cracow / Editorial Staff.
