“I proclaim that by decision of the Extraordinary General Chapter held February 26, 1986, the Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland has been divided into two Provinces. Moreover, the new Province has been established under the title of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe. “ With these words of the Decree issued on March 19, 1986, thirty-five years ago, the then Minister General, Friar Lanfranco SERRINI, established a new Province of the Order, headquartered in Gdańsk, Poland.
The Jubilee was celebrated as part of the Feast Day of the Province. The feast day took place on October 9, 2021, in the recently opened friary in Inowrocław, Poland. The same day, thirty-five years ago, marked the conclusion of the first Chapter of the newly established Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe. This year’s Province feast day is also linked to the 25th anniversary of the presence of the friars of the Province of Gdansk in Ecuador. Those participating in the feast day included many friars of the Province who reside in Poland, Italy, and Lithuania.
The feast day began with some words of welcome from the Guardian of the friary in Inowrocław, Friar Daniel PLISZKA. The friars then prayed Midmorning Prayer. Afterwards, Professor Edmund MIKOŁAJCZAK, an honorary citizen of Inowrocław, gave a lecture entitled “Franciscan Inowrocław.” dedicated to the theme of the centuries-long presence of the Conventuals and its significance for the spirituality, culture and daily life of the inhabitants of the city.
Mass was celebrated at noon, presided over by the Minister Provincial, Friar Wojciech KULIG. In his homily, Friar Wojciech said, “Today we thank God’s Providence for the thirty-five years of the friars’ constant attention to the Word of the Lord and their full acceptance and fulfillment of his will. We are grateful for each friar, for every work that forms the specific charism of our Province. Brothers, while we have time, let us do good!”
During the Mass, the “Amore pro Amore” medal was awarded to Marek WOŹNIAK, President of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship, [Greater Poland Province]. His name was also included in the prayers of thanksgiving recited in the friaries and inscribed in the special book of benefactors of the Province.
The celebration of the Provincial feast day ended with Evening Prayer, led by the Provincial Vicar, Friar Andrzej LENGENFELD. Then, the Minister Provincial offered some closing comments and gave the final blessing.
Friar Piotr KUREK, Provincial Secretary