On October 2, 2021, the friary in Lublin, Poland, celebrated its silver jubilee. The Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), Friar Marian GOŁĄB, spoke at the event and said, “ Today we thank God for these twenty-five years. May the example of our patron, Blessed John Duns Scotus, remind us that academic activity is important and that it can be reconciled with our Franciscan vocation. However, we must remember never to let our studies hinder our commitment to our own sanctification and the salvation of others.”
Friar Marian continued: “After all, our Father St. Francis did not forbid study, but at the same time, he reminded us that we must maintain a spirit of holy prayer and devotion and that all temporal things are secondary to this. Above all, the friars must strive to possess the Spirit of the Lord with his sanctifying action.”
A Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated, attended by friends and benefactors of the friary. Also present were some Ursuline sisters for whom the friars provide daily spiritual service. The Guardian of the friary, Friar Marek FIAŁKOWSKI, thanked everyone present and asked them to be always mindful of their neighbors and to stay connected with the friars and their activities.
On June 24, 1996, the friars of the Province of Cracow purchased a house at 40 Parysa Street in Lublin. The friary was erected there on November 8, 1996, during the liturgical commemoration of its patron, Blessed John Duns Scotus.
To date, a total of forty-four friars have resided at the friary. Of these, thirty-four were sent by the Minister Provincial to undertake specialization studies. The remaining ten friars lived there temporarily, attending classes, completing their studies, or preparing their doctoral thesis. At this time, one friar there is conducting his studies online.
All three of the Conventual Franciscan Provinces in Poland have a friary in Lublin. The Franciscans had been present in Lublin since 17th century. However, in 1817, their churches and friaries were suppressed. With the return of the Conventuals, the nature of the Franciscan presence in Lublin was restored. Today, the friaries in Lublin mainly accommodate confreres who study or teach.
Friar Jan M. SZEWEK
