On July 8-11, 2019, the first part of the Ordinary Custodial Chapter of the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM in Slovakia was held in the Friary of St. Francis in Brehov, Slovakia; The Custody belongs to the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow). The second part of the Chapter was held August 5-7, 2019.
The Chapter was presided over by the Minister Provincial, Friar Marian GOŁĄB. The Assistant General for the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO), Friar Tomáš LESŇAK, was also present. Fifteen friars took part in the Chapter.
As indicated by the Directory, the Chapter was preceded by a day of retreat, which was animated by Friar Marian. During the first part of the Chapter, reports on the life of the Custody were read. Then the Capitulars (minus the outgoing Custos and the Minister Provincial) discussed the most important aspects of the reports and evaluated the life of the Custody over the last four years.
During the third session of the Chapter, Friar Lucjan M. BOGUCKI was elected as Custos (first term).
During the fourth session, the Custodial Definitory was elected. The Definitors are Friars Jaroslav M. CÁR (Vicar and Secretary, first term), Jozef SUKENÍK (Definitor, first term) and Martin M. KOLLÁR (Definitor, third term).
The Chapter took place in a fraternal atmosphere, full of peace and optimism. The Custos and the Capitulars entrusted the next four years (2019-2023) to the Lord, invoking the intercession and protection of the Immaculate, Patroness of the Custody, and of the Seraphic Father, St. Francis.
In the second part of the Chapter, the Minister Provincial was represented by his Delegate, Friar Piotr STANISŁAWCZYK. Under the guidance of the Provincial Custos, the friars voted for the Four-Year Custodial Plan. The Plan is comprised of three sections: Spiritual Life-Formation, the Apostolate and Financial Matters.
During the sixth session, the guardians were elected. They are Friars Jaroslav M. CÁR (Friary of St. Francis of Assisi in Bratislava); Jozef SUKENÍK (Friary of the Assumption in Spišský Štvrtok); Martin M. KOLLÁR (Friary of the Holy Spirit in Levoča; and Peter GALLIK (Friary of St. Francis of Assisi in Brehov). In addition, Friar Róbert GAJDERUS was elected Custodial Econom, Friar Jaroslav M. CÁR was elected Rector of the Post Novitiate, and Friar Samuel M. HURAJT was elected Assistant for Vocations.
At the end of the Chapter, all the friars visited the village of Rad, 30 km [18 miles] from Brehov, where the mortal remains of our Friar Martyrs are located. There, they prayed for the deceased friars of the Custody and Province.
Friar Jaroslav M. CÁR, Custodial Secretary