The Lord gave me an opportunity to spend a few days in Poland where, at the invitation of the friars there, I brought a relic of the stigmatized St. Francis, namely, the piece of chamois leather which, according to tradition, he used to protect the wound on his side.<\/p>\n
This relic, which is usually kept in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, was once in contact with the flesh and blood of Francis himself. It helps us in some way to enter into the depths of Francis\u2019 own heart, a heart that, as Francis requested, had suffered all the pain that Jesus felt, and experienced all that \u201cexcessive love for us sinners\u201d that had pushed Jesus to endure the passion.
\nThe reason for my invitation to Poland was the national celebration of the 800th anniversary of Francis receiving the stigmata. The event took place on October 25-26, 2024, in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, near Cracow. It brought together over two hundred friars from the various Franciscan families. The participants experienced an important time of celebration, reflection and fraternity at the large and beautiful shrine entrusted to the care of the Friars Minor.
\nOn Sunday, October 27, the relic was prominently displayed at the Shrine of St. Francis, Stigmatized, in Warsaw. That day, seven Masses were celebrated. They were all very well attended, and the large number of faithful showed great devotion.
\nIt was all a truly great gift for me. I also visited some places of great spiritual significance, such as the birthplace of St. John Paul II in Wadowice, the Shrine of Cz\u0119stochowa, and the City of the Immaculate, Niepokalan\u00f3w, founded by St. Maximilian M. Kolbe. They were all places where I was able to pray for our fraternity and for all those we meet in the name of St. Francis.<\/p>\n