On Saturday, October 8, 2022, the friars of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Poland (Gdańsk) gathered in Elbląg, Poland, to celebrate the feast day of the Province.
This year, the participants had a special reason to give thanks, because the feast day of the Province occurred two days before the 40th anniversary of the canonization of the Province’s patron saint, St. Maximilian.
The celebrations traditionally bring together the friars from every friary in the Province. Other participants included a missionary working in Ecuador, Friar Damian PIETROWSKI; the Vice-Rector of the seminary of Łódź Łagiewniki, Poland, Friar Jacek KORSAK, along with the clerical students of the Province of Gdańsk; the Rector of the postulancy program, Friar Piotr OKRÓJ, along with three postulants.
The event began with the recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours in the Conventual Franciscan Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Elbląg, presided over by the local Guardian, Friar Grzegorz PIŚKO. After the prayer, the Minister Provincial, Friar Wojciech KULIG, invited those present to hear a reflection entitled, “ Cooperation with the Laity and Co-Responsibility for Evangelization” presented by Father Jacek SOCHA, Pastor of the St. Nicholas Church in Gdynia.
The central event was Mass at noon, presided over by the Minister Provincial. At the end of the Mass, the “ Fraternitatis gratiarum” statuette was awarded as a sign recognizing the spiritual friends of the Order and allowing them to participate in the spiritual graces that God has granted to our fraternity. This year, the award was presented to spouses Jerzy and Teresa ROJEK, who have been working with the Darłówek Parish and Friary since 1972. The award was accepted on their behalf by their pastor, Friar Sebastian FIEREK.
The celebrations concluded with Evening Prayer presided over by the Vicar Provincial, Friar Andrzej LENGENFELD. Before the dismissal, Friar Wojciech thanked everyone for their participation and invited them to the next Provincial feast, which will be held next year in Kwidzyn, Poland.
Friar Piotr KUREK, Provincial Secretary
