On November 24-25, 2023, Franciscan friars from the three First Orders (Friars Minor, Capuchin Franciscans and Conventual Franciscans) celebrated the 800th anniversary of the approval of the Later Rule of St. Francis by Pope Honorius III (November 29, 1223). The celebration took place in Niepokalanów, Poland.
The Minister Provincial of the Conventual Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland (Warsaw), Friar Grzegorz BARTOSIK, welcomed the participants. He mentioned that the celebration in Niepokalanów was the start of a three-year period of celebrations of Franciscan jubilees during 2023-26, namely, the approval of the Later Rule and the first nativity scene in Greccio (2023), the stigmata of St. Francis (2024), the Canticle of the Creatures written by St. Francis (2025) and the death of St. Francis (2026). The Minister Provincial went on to say, “It is a great honor for Niepokalanów that this place was chosen to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the approval of the Later Rule of St. Francis.”
The program on the first day included the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, a reading of the text of the Later Rule, Eucharistic Adoration, Evening Prayer and a Marian reflection. The final event that day was the entrustment of Franciscans from all of the religious Provinces to Mary Immaculate. This act was presided over by Friar Marek MISZCZYŃSKI, OFM Cap.
The second day began with Mass together with Morning Prayer, presided over by Friar Leonard BIELECKI, OFM. Friar Witosław SZTYK, OFM, gave the homily during the liturgy.
Next, a symposium began with a lecture by Friar Emil KUMKA, OFM Conv., on the historical background of the Later Rule. This was followed by a lecture by Friar Wiesław BLOCK, OFM Cap., on the apostolic letter Solet annuere by Pope Honorius III. Finally, Friar Andrzej ZAJĄC, OFM Conv., gave a lecture on the spiritual aspects of the Later Rule.
Edited by Radio Niepokalanów, based on Telewizja NIEPOKALANÓW/ ofmconv.net
Photo: https://twitter.com/JanMariaSzewek
