On September 2-10, 2025, the friars of the Russian General Custody of St. Francis of Assisi conducted their annual spiritual retreat. The event took place at the Fides et Ratio Retreat Center in Shchuchinsk, Kazakhstan, about 230 km [143 mi.] from the capital, Astana. The friars held a fraternal meeting immediately after.
Almost all the friars were present. For most of them, it was their first trip to Kazakhstan and an opportunity to visit our community in Astana, which has been part of the Custody since 2019. The retreat was led by Friar Piotr KAWA of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow). It began with Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Tomasz PETA, Catholic Archbishop of Astana. The retreat was focused on listening to God’s voice. It was enhanced by the preacher’s wealth of experience, which was expressed in his reflections. The entire retreat was spent in contemplation of the beauty of nature and was, so to speak, a “celebration” of the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures. After the retreat, the friars visited the National Marian Shrine in Oziornoje and also toured part of the nearby Burabay National Park.
The annual fraternal meeting followed. Father Leopold KROPFREITER of the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus and Mary led the spiritual introduction. He focused on the theme of hope and the spiritual advice of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Afterwards, the friars had some time to meet with one another. They reflected on the current life of the Custody in preparation for the next Ordinary Custodial Chapter, scheduled for April and June of 2026.
Finally, the friars visited the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, with its astonishing architecture. On this occasion, they were also able to assess the progress of the construction work on our new friary in Astana. Both the retreat and the meeting took place in a warm and fraternal atmosphere, filled with joy and cordiality. We thank the Lord for the precious gift of our fraternity in Kazakhstan, for its witness and its work, for its great hospitality and for the effort it put into preparing the meeting.
Friar Dariusz HARASIMOWICZ, Custos of the Russian General Custody
