On April 21–22, the first formation meeting for Friars 40+ took place at Mount Saint Anne, organized by the Secretariat for Formation and Studies of the North Slavic Conference (SLAN). Religious from five Franciscan Polish Provinces, aged between 40 and 55, took part in the meeting.
The aim of the gathering was to renew their belonging to the Order and to pause from daily duties in order to reflect on life and vocation. It was a time of listening – often quiet yet constant – to the cry of the world calling for the light of truth and the warmth of love, as well as a return to the roots of their personal “yes” given to God years ago.
An important part of the program was group work, which provided an opportunity to rediscover how the Poor Man of Assisi understood his life and vocation. This reflection led participants to deepen their gratitude to God for the gift of life and vocation and to relate Franciscan spirituality to their own experience of faith.
The meeting had the character of fraternal strengthening and shared listening to the Spirit. The program was enriched by a lecture given by Mr. Roman Solecki. The Eucharist was presided over and the meeting led by Br. Oskar Macciaczyk, who emphasized in his homily the importance of interpersonal communication in community life.
