On May 15-17, 2026, a retreat for young people was held at the friary in Niepokalanów Lasek, Poland. The friary is a presence of the Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland (Warsaw). The main theme of the gathering was vocations. Friar Grzegorz Maria ŚWIERKOSZ, OFM Conv., led the meditations.
Seventy young people, ages fourteen to eighteen took part in the event. Although the days passed quickly, it was an extremely fruitful and enjoyable weekend. The central moments of each day were Mass and Marian prayer. The program also included communal prayer, meditations, and group work sessions. During these sessions, the participants discussed vocations to married life, religious life, and the priesthood. The highlight of the retreat was a meeting with the invited guests: a married couple, Michał and Beata, Sister Daria of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Penance and Christian Charity, and Friar Mateusz of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. They each shared their own vocation story with the young people.
The retreat offered lots of opportunities for fellowship, an essential element of such gatherings. There were some memorable highlights , such as the movie marathon with popcorn and fruit juice, the delicious “bajaderka” pastries, and the festive evening and morning sessions filled with games and dancing.
The retreat concluded with a communal Mass in the local chapel, which the parents also attended. The young people left Niepokalanów Lasek with smiles on their faces, full of hope and joyful anticipation for the next retreat this summer.
Sister Teresa Maria GRABOŃ, SFMI
