On June 8-11, 2026, the friars in Niepokalanów Lasek, Poland, hosted a Jubilee Year formation meeting for the Superiors of the six monasteries of the Poor Clares in Poland. The meeting focused on the theme: “The Mission of the Superior: The Sisters Whom the Lord Has Given Me.”
The initiative was part of the celebrations for the Jubilee Year of St. Francis and brought together sisters from the monasteries in Cracow, Miedniewice, Sandomierz, Sitaniec, Skaryszew, and Stary Sącz. The sisters were eager to deepen their understanding of the spiritual dimension of the service of governance and to strengthen their sense of responsibility toward the communities entrusted to their care.
The meeting began on Monday, June 8, with the recitation of Evening Prayer. Friar Roman BANASIK, OFM Conv., gave the opening lecture and introduced the participants to the theme of the formation event. He resides in the Vatican and serves as the Religious Assistant to the Federation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate and Blessed Salome of the Order of St. Clare in Poland.
The following day began with a communal celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass combined with Morning Prayer. One particularly meaningful moment in the program was a lecture by Friar Piotr STANISŁAWCZYK, OFM Conv., of Cracow, on the theme, “Forgiveness in St. Francis.”
Wednesday, June 10, was focused on a deeper reflection on the responsibilities of Superiors. Friar Robert LEŻOHUPSKI, OFM Conv., of Gniezno, Poland, gave a lecture entitled, “The Protection of the Internal Forum and the Exercise of Authority in the Cloistered Community.”
The final day of the meeting, Thursday, June 11, began with the communal celebration of the Office of Readings and Mass combined with Morning Prayer. The sisters gave thanks for this time of formation, communion, and spiritual renewal.
The Federation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate and Blessed Salome of the Order of St. Clare in Poland brings together the monasteries of the Urbanist Poor Clares. It was established to promote collaboration among the autonomous monasteries while safeguarding their autonomy.
Sister Joanna DŁUGA, OSC, of Cracow, serves as the Coordinator of the Federation.
Friar Jan Maria SZEWEK
