On the 25th and 26th October, the 800th anniversary of the stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi was celebrated in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (Poland), in which the Definitor General, Br. Konrad Cholewa OFM, over 250 representatives of the three Franciscan obediences: Friars Minor, Friars Minor Conventual and Friars Minor Capuchin.
The celebration took place in several significant moments: the Eucharist, the contemplation of the Cross, the blessing with the relics of St. Francis, personally brought by the Custos of the Sacred Friary of Assisi, the show "Somewhere on top of the mountain... La Verna" of the theatrical community of the Franciscan Youth and Vocation Centre of Chorzów. The formative part saw three reports on the stigmata: Br. Konrad presented "Francis of Assisi as the new messenger of God, marked by signs of glory", Dr. Magdalena Ludera of the Jagiellonian University presented the theme of the stigmatization of St. Francis of Assisi in art, while Br. Filip Czub OFM, of the shrine of Alwernia, spoke about Franciscan life in "La Verna polacca" and told the story of the Shrine.
The friars of the three Franciscan branches of Poland are celebrating together the entire Centenary of the events of the last three years of St. Francis of Assisi's life. Last year the celebrations included the remembrance of the Rule and Greccio, this year the Holy Stigmata, next year the Canticle of the Creatures. Everything will end in 2026 with the celebration of the Transit with the participation of the three Franciscan Ministers General.
