On April 21-22, 2021, sixteen friars who carry out pastoral ministry in the Ukraine gathered at the St. Anthony Friary in Lviv, the Ukraine, for the first fraternal meeting of the Provincial Custody of the Holy Cross in the Ukraine.
The purpose of the meeting was to have a retreat day and to go on a pilgrimage to two Ukrainian villages connected with the Venerable Servant of God, Friar Wenanty KATARZYNIEC. One was Obydiv, where he was born, and the other was Kamianka-Buzka, which features the parish church where he was baptized.
The meeting began with lunch. Afterwards, the friars heard a lecture by Friar Sławomir BYSTRY on the life and activities of Friar Wenanty KATARZYNIEC. The Servant of God was presented as a man who demanded a lot of himself, a man who was obedient to the Order, and who unreservedly trusted in God. Today, Friar Wenanty continues to be an example of courageous spirituality.
The lecture was followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Mass, presided over by the Provincial Custos, Friar Stanisław KAWA. In his homily, Friar Stanisław referred to the Feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral Basilica of Lviv, which was being celebrated on that day. He then spoke about the merits of our brothers regarding this Cathedral. Its construction was undertaken by Blessed James of Strepar. For many years the custodian of the Cathedral was Friar Rafał KIERNICKI, OFM Conv., who would later become its bishop. The current bishop is the Most Reverend Friar Edward KAWA, OFM Conv., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lviv.
On the second day, the confreres went to Obydów, the birthplace of the Servant of God. They prayed the Rosary in the chapel which recalled the days of his youth. In Kamianka-Buzka, they celebrated Mass in the parish church where Friar Wenanty was baptized. The Mass was presided over by the Custodial Econom, Friar Paweł ODÓJ.
The meeting ended with lunch, after which, the friars returned to their friaries.
Friar Stanisław PĘKALA
