On October 12, 2019, the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Poland (Gdańsk) celebrated its Provincial feast day. This year, the feast day marked the 600th anniversary of the arrival of the Franciscans in Gdańsk. “The Franciscans were invited to Gdańsk to ensure peace,” said Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, the Vicar General of the Order.
Others joining Friar Jan in the celebration included the Most Reverend Błażej KRUSZYŁOWICZ, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Szczecin-Kamień, Poland; Friar Jerzy NOREL, Former Vicar General; Friar Tomasz RYŁKO, Vicar Provincial of the Province of Gdańsk; Friars Leon RAWALSKI and Adam KALINOWSKI, former Ministers Provincial; Friar Bernhardin SEITHER, former Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Elizabeth in Germany; Friar Nicola ROSA, General Econom; and Friar Leszek ŁUCZKANIN, General Exactor.
Major Superiors from the Provinces of the other Franciscan families were also invited. Among them were Friars Gwidon HENSEL, Vicar Provincial of the OFM Province of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M; Rufin MARYJKA, Vicar Provincial of the OFM Province of Our Lady of the Angels; and Bernard MARCINIAK, Minister Provincial of the OFM Province of St. Francis of Assisi.
A large number of friars from various friaries in Poland, Germany, Italy and Lithuania, also joined the celebration.
The event began with the recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours. Next, Friar Tomasz RYŁKO invited the participants to attend a lecture on the origins of the Franciscans in Gdańsk and the history of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Gdańsk. The lecture was presented by Friar Tomasz JANK, Rector of the Church and Guardian of the Friary of Gdańsk.
Mass was celebrated at noon, presided over by Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI.
At the end of the Mass, the “Fraternitatis gratiarum” statuette was presented. The statuette is awarded each year to deserving lay people in the Province of Gdańsk. This year’s recipient was Dr. Aleksandra MODLIŃSKA, in recognition of her many years of selfless medical assistance to the Franciscans in Poland and the needy in Kenya. Dr. Aleksandra is numbered among the spiritual friends of the Province and shall now participate in all the spiritual graces of the Provincial fraternity.
Finally, a number of “Amore Pro Amore” medals were awarded in recognition and appreciation of the years of service that various individuals gave the Franciscans of Gdańsk. This year’s recipients were Maria ZAKRZEWSKA, Jan TUSK, Feliks SZULIST and family, Elżbieta and Janusz KARCOWIE and Gustaw CZARNOWSKI.
The celebration ended with the recitation of Evening Prayer, presided over by Friar Jerzy NOREL.
Segreteria provinciale
