On June 16-19, 2026, the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), conducted an Extraordinary Provincial Chapter. The four-day event took place in Kalwaria Pacławska, near Przemyśl, Poland.
The entire Chapter was dedicated to a comprehensive assessment of the Province’s apostolic commitment. The friars examined how effectively their ministries respond to the current needs of the local Church, how faithfully they reflect the charism of the Order, and how they can sustain and further develop existing works in light of the human and material resources available.
The special guest during the Chapter was the Most Reverend Artur WAŻNY, Bishop of Sosnowiec, Poland. In his spiritual introduction, he spoke of the Church’s need to reach out to the peripheries. Friar Tomasz CZAJKA also addressed the assembly, reflecting on the apostolate and mission of the friars according to the Constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. Friar Marek FIAŁKOWSKI, a professor at the John Paul II Catholic University in Lublin, Poland, examined the apostolate of the Conventual Franciscans in the face of contemporary socio-cultural challenges, considering both the realities of today’s world and the needs of the Church.
During the Chapter, the friars worked in five discussion groups. They talked about pastoral ministry in Poland and abroad, the Province’s ministries and the Franciscan charism, the strengths and weaknesses of their pastoral activity, the needs of the Church, and the signs of the times that should guide apostolic work. They also identified priority goals and considered changes needed in the Province’s human and material resources.
Before these discussions began, the Minister Provincial, Friar Mariusz KOZIOŁ, addressed the assembly and shared reflections on the apostolate and his own observations regarding pastoral ministry. He spoke about what inspires hope and joy, but also what generates concern. “In these reflections, I take into account the contents of the report and the questionnaires completed by the friars before the Chapter, as well as insights drawn from my daily experience as a Minister Provincial,” he explained. “I do not intend to present conclusions or concrete solutions; rather, I wish to encourage dialogue, discernment, and sharing perspectives on the apostolate, even when they differ from my own.”
In the Chapter hall, the Delegates and Provincial coordinators presented reports on the apostolic activity of friars serving abroad. The presenters included Friars Michał GRUSZKA (Uzbekistan), Wojciech ULMAN (Uganda), Mateusz MICEK (Germany), Grzegorz ADAMCZYK (Peru), Marek WILK (Paraguay), and Piotr SARNICKI (United States), together with the Custodes of the Custody of Ukraine, Friar Stanisław NUCKOWSKI, and the Custody of Slovakia, Friar Martin Mária KOLLÁR.
At the conclusion of the Chapter, the Capitulars approved several Motions , including the opening of two friaries in the United States and one in Uganda, as well as reorganizing several Provincial ministries. They also approved the final document of the Extraordinary Provincial Chapter.
At noon on Saturday, the Capitulars conducted a Jubilee Mass for some friars celebrating the 50th anniversary of priestly ordination. Among the Jubilarians was Friar Stanisław OLBRYCHT from Lima, Peru; Friars Jan Andrzej PASIUT and Franciszek SOLARZ from Cracow; and Friar Stanisław ZIĘTEK from Horyniec-Zdrój, Poland.
Friar Jan Maria SZEWEK
