On the 2nd August, 2025, the Franciscans of the Province of Our Lady of the Angels, Poland, gathered in Wieliczka to celebrate their Patroness, Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula. This celebration, deeply rooted in Franciscan spirituality, is an annual feast of the Province that unites the friars from every corner of the world in a common thanksgiving and entrustment to the Blessed Virign Mary.
The central place of the celebrations has traditionally been the Chapel of the Portiuncula, located in the gardens of the friary. The event was attended by about 60 friars from Poland and abroad, including Israel, Italy, Germany, Australia, Cameroon and the United States. They were joined by novices from Leżajsk and members of the Secular Franciscan Order.
The celebrations began at 9.00 am with the greeting of the Minister Provincial, Br. Krzysztof Bobak OFM. The day's programme included, amongst other things, a lecture given by Br. Zdzisław Kijas OFMConv, a Conventual Franciscan and well-known theologian. Br. Kijas referred to the Franciscan jubilee celebrated this year.
An important moment of the ceremony was the homage to the friars who were celebrating the Jubilee of religious life. Br. Krzysztof presented them with the papal blessing, a letter from the Minister General and the congratulations of the Minister Provincial.
During the celebration, an icon depicting the four Franciscan martyrs of Dachau was also blessed, a testimony to the unshakable faith and courage of the religious during the Second World War.
The missionary cross was presented to Br. Eryk Hoppe OFM, who will leave for the mission in Bolivia in two weeks.
Prayers continued in the Chapel of the Portiuncula, where the friars renewed their religious profession, renewing their dedication to God and the community.
At 11:00 a.m., Solemn Mass began presided over by Fr. Konrad Małys OSB. At the beginning of the celebration, Br. Mariusz Tabor OFM, custodian of the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace, recalled that the solemnity of the Portiuncula has its roots in the experience of St. Francis, who obtained from God the plenary indulgence for the faithful who would visit this chapel. In his homily, the celebrant emphasized the role of Mary in Franciscan spirituality, recalling the historical significance of the Portiuncula indulgence, obtained by St. Francis.
At the end of the Liturgy, according to Franciscan custom, Br. Krzysztof gave Father Konrad a symbolic basket of fish, in reference to the events of 800 years ago, when the Benedictines donated the chapel of the Portiuncula to St. Francis. Fr Konrad responded with the gift of oil, a symbol of spiritual light.
After Mass, the participants went in procession to the Chapel of the Portiuncula, where perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was taking place, to entrust themselves together to Our Lady of the Angels.
The feast was also an opportunity to deliver the new Statutes of the Province, an important document that regulates the spiritual and organizational life of the community.
The celebrations ended with a communal lunch in the monastery garden and a visit to the exhibition "400 years of Franciscan presence in Wieliczka" at the Krakow Salt Flats Museum at the Salt Flats Castle.
