On November 8-13, 2021, the friars of the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Slovakia went on a spiritual retreat near the famous Shrine of Our Lady of Levoča in Slovakia.
Friar Piotr PAWLIK, the Minister Provincial Province of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the Czech Republic, led the reflection for the retreat. Fifteen friars participated. Friar Tomáš LESŇÁK, the Assistant General for the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO), visited during the retreat.
Friar Piotr touched on various topics related to the daily life of the fraternity, such as, silence, discernment of God’s will, encountering the Word of God through Lectio divina, the Eucharist as the Bread of Life, and the role of the Mother of God in the life of every religious.
The retreat was an important time for all the friars. It not only renewed their spirit, but it also allowed them to spend time together and discuss their experiences during this difficult period of pandemic. This was the first time the entire Custody was able to meet since their Ordinary Chapter in 2019.
On November 16-23, 2021, after the retreat, the Vicar General, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, conducted a general canonical visitation on behalf of the Minister General. At the end of his visitation, Friar Jan met with the Provincial Custos and the Custodial Definitory and summarized the observations he made during the visitation. He also made some recommendations for the future.
Currently the Provincial Custody of Slovakia has nineteen friars serving in four friaries.
Friar Jaroslav M. CÁR, Custodial Secretary
