From September 30 to October 1, 2024, the formators and those in formation from all the formation houses of the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania, gathered for a formation meeting. The meeting was led by Friar Piotr STANISŁAWCZYK, the Secretary General of the General Secretariat for Formation (SGF), and Friar Dariusz MAZUREK, the Secretary General of the General Secretariat for Mission Animation (SGAM). The event took place at the Franciscan Theological Institute in Roman, Romania.
As soon as they arrived, the two guest friars visited the friary and church in Luizi Călugăra, where one can find the tomb of Friar Iosif P. M. PAL, a co-founder of the Militia of the Immaculata and a friend of St. Maximilian Kolbe, and the family house of the Venerable Martin BENEDICT, a Conventual Franciscan priest and a physician.
On September 30, the formation event began with morning Mass, followed by a lecture from Friar Piotr STANISŁAWCZYK on the topic: “The Challenges of Initial and Continuing Formation.” In the afternoon, Friar Dariusz MAZUREK lectured on: “The Mission Vocation: The Mission Presences of Our Order around the World. How to Become a Missionary.”
The participants were greatly interested in the topics of initial and continuing formation and missionary vocations. This was helped by the presentation methods of the two speakers, particularly, their way of testifying from their own life experience in the fields of formation and mission.
After both lectures, the participants engaged in productive dialogue with the speakers, requesting further information or clarification. Their dialogue continued even during breaks and fraternal leisure time.
On October 1, the day began with Mass presided over by the Minister Provincial, Friar Damian Gheorghe PĂTRAȘCU. Afterwards, the friars met again to discuss the topics that had been explored. The session concluded with a final message that the Minister Provincial and the guest friars wanted to convey, both to the formators and to those in formation, at the beginning of the new, 2024-25 formation year.
Finally, the Minister Provincial thanked the two friars of the General Secretariat for their service and for everything they were able to convey and share during the two-day formation event.
Friar Virgil BLAJ Rector of the Post-Novitiate
