On April 18-20, 2023, the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Slovakia, of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow) celebrated the first part of its Ordinary Custodial Chapter. The Chapter took place at the St. Francis friary in Brehov, Slovakia.
The Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, and the Minister Provincial of Cracow, Friar Marian GOŁĄB, presided over the Chapter. Also present was the Assistant General for the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO), Friar Tomáš LESŇAK, together with twenty friar Capitulars.
As indicated in the Directory, the Chapter was preceded by a day of spiritual retreat, led by the Minister Provincial of the Province of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the Czech Republic, Friar Piotr PAWLIK.
At the beginning of the Chapter, the reports on the presences of the Custody were read. Then the Capitulars divided into two groups, without the participation of the Minister General, the Minister Provincial or the Custos, and discussed the most important aspects of the reports and evaluated the life of the Custody over the past four years.
During the third session of the Chapter, Friar Martin M. KOLLÁR was elected to his first term as Custos. During the fourth session, the members of the Custodial Definitory were elected. They are: Friar Lucjan M. BOGUCKI (Vicar, first term), Friar Jaroslav M. CÁR (Secretary, second term) and Friar Peter GALLIK (Definitor, Econom and Exactor, first term).
The Chapter took place in a fraternal atmosphere, full of peace and optimism. The Custos, along with the entire assembly, entrusted the 2023-27 four-year term to the Lord, and invoked the intercession and protection of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Custody, and of the Seraphic Father St. Francis.
The second part of the Chapter is scheduled for June 5-7, 2023. The agenda will include the Custodial Four-Year Plan, the election of the Guardians and the election of friars in various Custodial offices.
Friar Jaroslav M. CÁR, Custodial Secretary
