On Monday, February 5, 2024, the annual assembly of the Provincial Delegation in Germany, of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Poland (Gdańsk) took place at the friary in Zell am Harmersbach, Germany.
The assembly participants included the friars of this recently erected local friary, together with the friars from the friaries in Hamburg, Werdohl and Walldürn. The assembly began on Sunday evening with dinner and fraternal recreation.
On Monday, the friars prayed Morning Prayer together in the friary chapel, after which, the work of the assembly began. Friar Krzysztof ROBAK, the Provincial Delegate in Germany, greeted the friars and explained the assembly program. Next, the participants shared their observations and experiences regarding their lives and service in the German Dioceses. Friar Ireneusz WOJTKO, the Delegation Econom, gave the assembly a report on the finances of the Delegation and the Minoriten Maximilian Kolbe Association. Then, Friar Wojciech KULIG, the Minister Provincial, thanked the members of the Delegation for their pastoral ministry and for their financial contribution to the Province. At the same time, he presented additional projects and asked for financial support. This year, as in the past, the Delegation decided to support the Order’s missions and solidarity fund.
Mass was celebrated at noon, at the altar of Our Lady of the Chains (Maria zu den Ketten) during which the future of the Province and this shrine were entrusted to her protection. The Minister Provincial presided over the liturgy. In his homily, he encouraged the friars to help strengthen the Franciscan vocation in today’s world.
After lunch, the Provincial Delegate gave the friars a tour of the shrine and the friary.
Friar Krzysztof ROBAK
