Two Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.) weekend retreats for children and teens were held at the friary in Niepokalanów Lasek, Poland, a presence of the Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland (Warsaw). The retreats took place on October 23–25 and November 6–8, 2026.
The central theme of both retreats was gratitude, understood as the art of recognizing the gifts we receive, even when we haven’t asked for them. The theme was explored in various ways, tailored to the participants’ ages. For the youngest children, the organizers arranged an outdoor game to teach them how to express gratitude through words and actions. The children also participated in arts-and-crafts workshops, during which they made mugs and “gratitude tokens” for their parents. The teen program included small-group discussions, collaborative activities, an evening and a morning spent enjoying one another’s company, and a movie night with the traditional popcorn and fruit juice. Another meaningful part of the program was a prayerful visit to the friars’ cemetery at Niepokalanów.
Deep prayer formed the heart of both weekends and was their most important common element. Participants attended daily Mass, where Friar Paweł RATYŃSKI delivered homilies about gratitude. They also took part in Eucharistic adoration, led by Friar Sylwester GĄGLEWSKI. The teens had an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and speak with a priest during the event known as the “Night of Nicodemus.”
The Immaculate Mother watched over both retreats. Friar Grzegorz ŚWIERKOSZ, the retreat moderator, provided spiritual guidance with the support of a team of eleven youth leaders. Ania GARCZYŃSKA, a nurse, took care of the participants’ health needs. This enriching time of formation, recreation, and fellowship left everyone with a deep sense of gratitude for the time they spent together.
Sister Teresa Maria GRABOŃ, SFMI (Franciscan Sisters of the Militia of the Immaculata)
