On January 2, 2023, the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Slovakia celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The jubilee celebration took place at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Levoča, Slovakia. Those attending included the Assistant General for the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO), Friar Tomáš LESŇÁK; the President of the FEMO Federation and Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), Friar Marian GOŁĄB; the Vicar Custos of the Custody of the Holy Cross in Ukraine, Friar Stanisław PĘKALA; the Provincial Custos of the Province of Slovakia, Friar Lucjan M. BOGUCKI; some confreres from Poland and the Czech Republic, many religious and diocesan priests as well as consecrated persons.
The Most Reverend Ján Kuboš, Auxiliary Bishop of Spiš, Slovakia, presided over the Mass of thanksgiving. In his homily, the bishop appealed to the friars and the faithful to always strive to be closer to Jesus. “With our eyes fixed on Christ, let us willingly give ourselves to the service of God and our neighbor, as your Immaculate Patroness did. Let us try to spread true joy around us. After all, she, the cause of our joy, constantly prays for our happiness. This is what I wish for the whole Franciscan family in Slovakia in the years to come,”
At the end of the celebration, the Assistant General, the Minister Provincial and the Provincial Custos spoke encouragingly to the friars, thanking God for the work they have done so far while asking that they look to the future with hope and faith—because God does new and wonderful things in our lives.
One of the participating confreres left a comment on the Custody’s website: “To all our benefactors and friends we wish to express our gratitude for being with us these past years, not only in happy moments but also in difficult ones. We entrust ourselves to your prayers for the future, because every community, including religious ones, needs support.”
In the early 1990s, only two friars from Slovakia were living in the country: Friars Vavrinec HLAVATÝ and Odilo MRÁZ. In 1993, they were incorporated into the Province of Cracow, which generously supported them with personnel. The friars of Poland gradually re-established the friaries in Slovakia and re-founded the Conventual Franciscan presence there as well. Their work produced many native vocations.
In September of 2002, the Extraordinary Provincial Chapter of the Province of Cracow was held in Zuberec, in the Orava Region of Slovakia. Its main task was to discuss the creation of the Custody of Slovakia. The Capitulars decided to erect the new Jurisdiction on January 1, 2003.
The first Custodial Chapter of Slovakia was conducted in two parts: The first part took place on January 6-7, 2003, in Levoča. The second part occurred on June 10-12, 2003, in Brehov. During the plenary sessions, the Capitulars elected the Custos, the Custodial Definitory and the Guardians. Furthermore, the Capitulars drafted the Four-Year Plan of the Custody and identified the most important tasks regarding their ministry.
The first Custos was Friar Lucjan M. BOGUCKI, who held office for two consecutive terms (eight years). He was succeeded by Friar Tomáš LESŇÁK, who also held office for two terms. As of 2019, the Custos is again Friar Lucjan M. BOGUCKI.
Currently, there are four Conventual Franciscan friaries in Slovakia, located in Bratislava, Brehov, Levoča and Spišský Štvrtok. The friars serve parishes at all these locations, with the exception of Levoča. The Custody has twenty friars, some of whom are working abroad. Friar Tomáš LESŇÁK is serving as the Assistant General for the FEMO Federation. Friar Peter PIKULÍK is studying theology in Rome. Friar Jonáš František ČARNÝ is participating in the postulancy program in Gniezno, Poland.
Friar Jaroslav CÁR
Photo: Friar Peter PIKULÍK
