Three formation meetings took place for the three regions of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow). The first meeting was held on Nov. 28, 2022, in Kalwaria Pacławska, Poland; the second was on Nov. 29, in Cracow; and the third was on Nov. 30, in Legnica, Poland.

The three Chapters of Mats (as these meetings of Franciscan formation are called) were organized to plan and carry out the upcoming Franciscan jubilees, a series of 800th anniversaries that celebrate the approval of the Later Rule (2023), the stigmata of St. Francis (2024), the writing of the Canticle of Brother Sun (2025) and the death of St. Francis (2026).
“It is a time for praying together and reflecting on the fundamental themes of our Franciscan charism. It is also a time for strengthening our fraternal bonds,” explained the Minister Provincial, Friar Marian GOŁĄB.
The program of the formation meetings included Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, periods for dialogue and recreation, and time allotted for individual prayer, meditation and Eucharistic Adoration.
The Provincial Councilor and Guardian of the Capuchin Franciscan friary in Cracow, Friar Tomasz ŁAKOMCZYK, led two meditations and delivered the homily during the daily Mass. He spoke about perfect joy and introduced the jubilee celebrating the Later Rule.
At each of the meetings, Friar Marian mentioned the feast of the Province, scheduled for Monday, May 29, 2023, at the St. Maximilian Center in Harmęże, near Oświęcim [Auschwitz, Poland] It will be an event that fits in with the aforementioned Franciscan anniversaries. At the same time, it will be an occasion to celebrate the jubilees of religious and priestly life of the friars of the Jurisdiction, and to present awards to the benefactors of the Province.

Friar Jan M. SZEWEK