On October 9-13, 2023, the friars of the Russian General Custody of St. Francis of Assisi gathered for their annual spiritual retreat.
The event took place at the Salesian center in Oktiabrskiy, near Moscow. The participants included ten friars from the Custody of Russia; two members of the Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland (Warsaw), who are currently working in Belarus; and one member of the Salesians.
The retreat was led by Father Wadim SZAJKIEWICZ from Moscow. In his reflections, he often referred to his personal spiritual experiences and those of the Neocatechumenal Way, with which he is associated.
The friars had plenty of time for personal prayer and meditation. There was also time to deepen fraternity and mutual dialogue. Indeed, given the distances separating the communities of the Custody, the friars can only meet together as a whole twice a year.
Friar Dariusz HARASIMOWICZ, General Custos
