On Saturday, September 20, 2025, the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of the Opole-Gliwice Region in Poland celebrated the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of Brother Sun [also known as the Canticle of the Creatures] composed by St. Francis of Assisi. The event took place at the friary in Głogówek, Poland. The Opole-Gliwice Region comprises seventy fraternities.
Friar Mariusz KOZIOŁ, the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow) presided over the Mass. Those concelebrating included the OFS National Assistant, Friar Zdzisław GOGOLA, OFM Conv., of Cracow; the OFS Regional Assistant, Friar Kunibert KUBOSZ, OFM, of Góra Św. Anny; the OFS Regional Assistant, Friar Marian SZYMAŃSKI, OFM Conv., of Głogówek; the OFS Local Assistant Friar Lucjusz Ryszard WÓJTOWICZ, OFM, of Opole; and the Guardian of the friary in Głogówek, Friar Paweł GOGOLA, OFM Conv., among others. The Minister Provincial encouraged the OFS members to bear witness to their faith in today’s often anti-Christian world by being credible in living their words and actions consistently, with courage and perseverance, without giving up, and by constantly following the path they have chosen. He mentioned some examples of people who have put these principles into practice in their own lives, citing, among others, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and the Martyrs of Korea, who were being commemorated by the Church on this day. He encouraged the OFS members to listen to and trust in the Word of God, in order to bear good fruit, stating: “Those who live by the Word of God, keep it in their hearts and subordinate their lives to it, shine brightly and no one or nothing can defeat them.” Immediately after the Mass, Henryka MŁYNARSKA, a lover of the region’s culture, history, ethnography, and folklore, introduced guests to the treasures of the Franciscan friary complex in Głogówek. In the afternoon, the participants took part in a special celebration dedicated to the “praise of creatures,” during which they prayed that adoration of the Creator would become a permanent aspect of their lives. Finally, a “Jubilee Tree” was planted in the friary courtyard.
Friar Jan M. SZEWEK
