On November 4-8, 2024, the friars of the Delegation of St. Anthony in Ecuador conducted their annual assembly. The Delegation was founded by the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Poland (Gdańsk), It took place at the Santa Maria Bernarda House of Spirituality run by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, in Quito, Ecuador.
During the event, the friars took the opportunity to thank God for the gift of the religious and priestly vocation of Friar Vicente Carlomán TANDAZO GALLEGOS, who celebrated his 15th anniversary of priestly ordination. We thank God for every friar whom Providence calls to the vocational journey following the example of St. Francis.
The friars evaluated the current year so far, talked about work experiences, discussed current challenges and planned future activities.
The assembly began with the recitation of common prayer and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Then the Provincial Delegate, Friar Mirosław DUBIELA, led the invocation prayer, placing the proceedings of the Assembly under the protection of the Holy Spirit. Next, the Secretary of the Delegation, Friar Jesús Eudoro CEBALLOS BENAVIDES, read the minutes of the previous Assembly, which summarized the work done so far and opened a discussion on current issues. In the days that followed, the friars discussed the joys and challenges of pastoral ministry in the parishes. In particular, they discussed the development of pastoral groups and parish communities; the financial problems facing certain friaries and parishes; the formation of young friars, especially postulants and novices; maintaining and renovating some friaries and churches; and the further development of missionary work. Another important point on the agenda was reflecting on how to conduct spiritual and pastoral activities in order to better respond to the needs of the community of the faithful.
Friars Michał PAGA and Michał SABATOWSKI, who participated in the Provincial Chapter a few months ago, highlighted the most important guidelines and recommendations from the Chapter and suggested practical ways to implement them in the local communities.
The last point of the meeting was preparing a calendar of events and defining priorities for 2025.
The assembly took place in an atmosphere of fraternal cordiality and mutual respect.
Friar Robert KOZIELSKI, Provincial Secretary for the Missions
