In Łódź Łagiewniki, Poland, the “FRS” rap group is recording a new CD. The friars at our major seminary in Łódź Łagiewniki can explain exactly what FRS is and where it comes from:
– What is FRS?
“FRS (Franciszkański Rap Session) is a new Franciscan rap group. This CD project, and its title, came up spontaneously and we want to preserve that characteristic.”
– Why the idea of preaching the Gospel with rap?
“The project got started because of the ministry we were doing at two orphanages in Łódź. The ongoing pandemic had seemingly made it impossible for us to continue this ministry. However, it turned out our ministry was not so impossible after all. One day we decided, among other things, to record some short music videos for our friends at the orphanages. Right after that, we got the impression that making more of these projects for a wider audience might be a brilliant idea. Our superiors gave us the green light and thus the FRS group was born.
At first glance, you might think a combination of the Gospel, the Franciscan habit and rap would be an explosive mixture. You might think these elements were incompatible. However, the event of the Incarnation itself, in which God took on human nature, shows us that God wants to be close to us. It teaches us that nothing is impossible for God. It indicates that God wants us to be saved; that he wants us to know him and his love. The FRS “tree” shall be recognized by its fruit; therefore, the feedback we get from people who listen to FRS is very important to us. At the same time, this feedback makes it very clear that we are on a path worth taking.”
– Who is involved in this project? Is it the whole seminary?
“The FRS group has following permanent members: Friars Michał WIĘCH, Wiktor MIELESZKO and Grzegorz ŚWIERKOSZ. However, other confreres collaborate as well. For us, this is a communal way of proclaiming the Gospel. We want to spread the word of God wherever we can.”
– We understand you are making a CD; is that right?
“Yes, we started recording a CD. We are redoing all the songs that we presented on YouTube (https://tiny.pl/7c6cz). Those were more of a live session than the studio version we are working on now. We also hired two friars from our band “Pokój i Dobro” [Peace and All Good], Friars Paweł ZIEŃKOW and Kamil PLUSZCZEWICZ. In addition, we have Anna SZAJA and Anna FISIAK, two friends from our Franciscan pastoral ministry program. We have just finished recording all the tracks. Now we are preparing the mix all the songs and we hope that the CD will be released at the beginning of the new academic year.”
– Well then, we wish you every blessing on this evangelizing adventure.
“Please pray that this work of ours may contribute to evangelization and above all, reach those who are furthest from the Church. We are very thankful for your prayers for us and for those whom FRS reaches. We embrace you all with our prayers and ask you constantly for yours! May God be glorified in all this!”
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