From April 13 to 15, 2026, at the Sanctuary of Mary, Queen of Families in Wambierzyce (diocese of Świdnica), a formation meeting was held for the Guardians of the houses of the Province of St. Hedwig of the Order of Friars Minor in Poland.
The Provincial Minister, Br. Alard Maliszewski, OFM, presided at the meeting. Monday evening, Br. Konrad Cholewa, OFM, Definitor General, held an introductory lecture on the role of the Guardian in the life of the fraternity, connecting online with the participants. After a short break, the participants met Fr. Tomaz Chmielewski OSPPE, Prior of the Paolini convent in Wrocław, who in the conference entitled “The poverty of the electronic portfolio”, tried to reconcile the ideas of the vow of poverty with the reality of the daily life of consecrated persons.
The following morning was dedicated to the sharing of experiences related to the celebration of the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis in our communities. The brothers presented the initiatives which they had undertaken or planned in their own convents to honor the current jubilee year and invite others to promote similar initiatives.
The next thematic block was dedicated to the financial and the staffing situation of the Province. The community of Guardians discussed the future of some places and works, looking for optimal solutions for such realities. The afternoon was dominated by the issue of financial transparency in our province, but also of the individual houses and individual friars. The provincial minister presented his suggestions, which the brothers commented on in reference to their own fraternities.
Tuesday’s last thematic block revolved around the issue of the administration of religious goods in light of the ever-evolving norms of state law.
The third day was dedicated to the liturgical life of our religious communities. This was done, thanks to our guest, Fr. Dominik Ostrowski, priest of the diocese of Świdnica, as well as consultor of the Commission for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments of the Polish episcopal conference and vice-rector for the scientific and educational affairs at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Wrocław. Fr. Dominick passionately presented a session entitled “The liturgy as a school of maturity of the community”, in which he referred to the link between the maturity of the priest/religious and the way of celebrating and living the liturgy. In addition, he provided some valuable advice on controversial liturgical issues.
Concluding the meeting, Br. Alard draw up a balance sheet of the day and presented the next appointments of our provincial community.
The meeting of the Guardians, despite having a predominately formative dimension, is also an occasion of common prayer; for this reason the brothers were constantly accompanied by the prayer of the Breviary, the Eucharistic celebration in communion, the recitation of the Crown of Divine Mercy, and the celebration of the Via Lucis. Besides, it was an opportunity for an informal exchange of experiences, to share the concerns and joy related to the responsibilities of the Guardian, as well as to momentarily step away from daily tasks.
The meeting was organized by the Office of Ongoing Formation of the Province of St. Hedwig.
