On August 17-24, 2024, the 4th Provincial “Na Maxa” Retreat was conducted for young people who provide service at the altar during liturgies. The event took place in Ostrowiec, Poland.
The retreat was attended by fifty-seven young people and eight leaders representing various friaries in the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Poland (Gdańsk). These included the friaries in Lębork, Gdynia, Gniezno, Kwidzyn, Koszalin, Ostróda, Olsztyn, Darłówko, Darłowo, Dobra and Kołobrzeg. The retreat was led by two moderators: Friars Mateusz ŚWIĘTOSŁAWSKI and Damian BASARAB. Bringing their knowledge and commitment to bear, they offered spiritual assistance to the participants and encouraged them to carry out their altar service with even more dedication.
The purpose of the retreat was to provide liturgical and spiritual formation for young people who perform daily liturgical service in Conventual Franciscan churches. The participants were divided into five groups according to age and level of education. The content of the retreat was adapted to fit the needs and level of each group. Thus, each group, led by the animators, had its own program that allowed for individual spiritual development and integration with peers.
The daily program of the retreat was rich and varied. Each day the participants took part in Mass and common prayer; which formed the foundation of the entire retreat. In addition to spiritual activities, there was also time for discussion and recreation. The organizers made sure there were plenty of activities to foster mutual understanding.
Each day, the young people were directed by certain “indications,” namely, guiding topics that gave the participants a starting point for reflection and spiritual formation. These daily topics included: the opening session of the retreat, the laws of nature, the commandments of God, the principles of life, the examination of conscience, being witnesses of Christ and our baptismal commitment. Each of these “indications” was aimed at discovering the deepest meaning of serving at the altar and in daily life.
Each day began with morning prayer. Next, there were formation sessions according to group. These included time for discussion, sharing experiences and learning more about the teachings of the Church. In the afternoon, the participants took part in activities that encouraged integration. These included team games, outings, evening bonfires and more. Another important moment of each day was adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Moreover, confession was available, too. These reinforced the spiritual character of the retreat.
The retreat concluded with Mass presided over by the Provincial Vicar, Friar Robert WOŁYNIEC. The participants gave thanks for the retreat and renewed their promises to provide service at the altar. The event made a deep impression in the hearts of all the participants. The organizers have already announced that they will continue to do this work in the hope of providing further development and spiritual growth for young altar servers.
Maja STUDZIŃSKA
