Inauguration in Łódź
On October 1, 2019, the Conventual Franciscan seminary in Łódź began its 2019-2020 academic year. The event started with the celebration of Mass with the Seminary’s Superiors, professors, formators and employees.
Other guests included Father Tomasz WIELEBSKI, the Vice Dean of the Theological Faculty of the Cardinal Stefan WYSZYŃSKI University in Warsaw and representatives of the diocesan seminaries of Łódź and Łowicz.
The Mass was presided over by Friar Piotr SZCZEPAŃSKI, the Vicar Provincial of the Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland (Warsaw). He also gave the homily.
At the end of the Mass, the participants gathered in the assembly hall of the seminary. After singing the anthem Gaude mater Polonia, the Secretary of the Seminary, Friar Piotr SIELUŻYCKI, presented a report on the activity of the Seminary during the previous year. Prizes were awarded for the highest grades: Friar Michał WIĘCH (Gdansk – 5th year), Friar Grzegorz IWIERKOSZ (Warsaw – 5th year) and Arkadiusz BURZEC (Warsaw – 2nd year). After singing the traditional academic song Gaudeamus igitur, the inaugural address was delivered by Friar Tomasz SZYMCZAK, the Secretary General of the Order. Friar Tomasz spoke about some linguistic problems related to the Holy Scriptures.

Friar Grzegorz ŚWIERKOSZ OFMConv

Inauguration in Cracow
On October 1, 2019, the Capuchin Franciscan seminary in Cracow inaugurated the new academic year for the “Franciscan Study”. The Study is the joint effort of the seminaries of the Friars Minor, Friars Minor Capuchin and Friars Minor Conventual. This year, Conventual Franciscan clerical students from the Czech Republic will also be studying here.
Friar Marian GOŁĄB, the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), gave a speech of encouragement to the students.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Father Arkadiusz BARON, the Dean of the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical John Paul II University in Cracow, to which the Franciscan seminaries are attached.
Friar Radosław PASZTALENIEC, OFM Cap., delivered an inaugural address about the sayings of St. Francis of Assisi in the early Franciscan sources.
The student body in Cracow is comprised of Franciscans from all three First Orders, as well as Carmelites and Albertine Brothers. In total, there are sixty-five students. Fifteen of the first-year students are Franciscans.

Friar Jan SZEWEK OFMConv