On Sunday, October 12, 2025, the parishioners of the parish church in Horyniec, in the Roztocze region of eastern Poland, solemnly sang the early Christian hymn Te Deum laudamus in recognition of the faith of their ancestors, the 250th anniversary of the parish church, and the Conventual Franciscan presence in this place.
At the beginning of the anniversary celebration, the names of previous Pastors and Guardians, among others, were read out. The current Pastor, Friar Bogdan KLÓSKA, thanked the Lord for all those who have received sacraments and sacramentals here over the years. “Today,” he said, “we thank the Lord God for the fact that this parish has helped, and continues to help, people grow in faith and develop spiritually. (…) [we thank the Lord God] for those who built it, are building it, and will continue to build it.” At the same time, the Pastor assured everyone present that each Friday in 2025, the Stations of the Cross would be celebrated in expiation for all shortcomings, dashed hopes, and wrongs committed. The Sunday Masses at the parish church were presided over by the Most Reverend Marian ROJEK, Bishop of Zamość-Lubaczów, Poland. He spoke to those present, saying, “I thank you who are the spiritual guardians of this ancient Roman Catholic community located within the borders of today’s Poland. At the same time, I ask you, in the presence of the Reverend Father Provincial and the Conventual Franciscan friars, to remain steadfast in the faith, so that you may continue to strengthen the faithful here and lead everyone on the right path to salvation.”
Among those attending the event in Horyniec-Zdrój were: the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), Friar Mariusz KOZIOŁ; former Superiors of the friary and parish; Conventual Franciscans who originated from this parish, friars from the Poland’s Subcarpathian region, local authorities, and representatives of local institutions. They, too, expressed their thanks and best wishes to the friars and the current pastor.
The relics of saints and blessed, who witnessed to the faith and guided the local population to God, were carried in procession to the church. These included relics of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, Bl. James of Strepar, St. Albert CHMIELOWSKI, Bl. Bernardyna JABŁOŃSKA, the Holy Children of Fatima, Bl. Aniela SALAWA, Bl. Maria KARŁOWSKA, St. Faustina KOWALSKA, St. Maximilian KOLBE, the Blessed ULMA Family, Bl. Zbigniew STRZAŁKOWSKI, Bl. Michał TOMASZEK, and St. John Paul II.
Friar Jan M. SZEWEK
