On the 1st October, 2025, the inauguration of the new academic year 2025/2026 was celebrated at the Theological Institute of Franciscan Studies (ITSF) in Krakow. This act had a historic character, since the OFM Interprovincial House of the Temporary Professed in Krakow-Bronowice Wielkie was officially inaugurated.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by H.E. Mons. Damian Muskus OFM, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Krakow. In his homily, he stressed that "we need to listen much more to Christ's call to authentic renewal, to rebuild the bond with St. Francis, who dreamed of the Friars Minor not as 'attractive ecclesiastical officials', but as a fraternal community, living in poverty and humility, a sign of closeness and unity for a divided world".
Concelebrating were the authorities of the John Paul II Pontifical University (UPJPII) in Krakow, the professors of the Theological Institute of Franciscan Studies, the Provincial Ministers of the various Franciscan Families and formators. The Eucharist was attended by 82 OFM, OFMConv and OFMCap students.
After the Eucharist, in the hall of Blessed Duns Scotus, the opening academic ceremony was held during which the first-year students took the oath: "Let us promise before our Lord Jesus Christ, Giver of life and wisdom, fidelity to God, to the Gospel, to the Church and to the Order. We want with the right intention to acquire philosophical and theological knowledge, so that in the spirit of Gospel truth and on the basis of the Magisterium of the Church we can serve man in the contemporary world. We will do everything, with our behaviour as students and alumni, with religious discipline and with commitment to study, to give a good example to others and fulfill all the commitments we have made. May God help us in this way."
Afterwards, the Rector Magnificus of UPJPII, Msgr. Prof. Robert Tyrała, took the floor. The first part of the ceremony ended with the singing of the academic hymn Gaudeamus igitur, performed by the choir of the student friars. The inaugural speech, entitled Happiness as an imperative of action. A look through the Franciscan perspective was given by Prof. Zdzisław Kijas OFMConv.
Words of encouragement to the teachers and student friars were also addressed by Br. Krzysztof Bobak OFM, Minister Provincial and President of the ITSF Chapter, who wished that the New Year of intellectual and spiritual work will be a time of growth in wisdom and grace before God and men, and invoked the blessing of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the commitment to the search for truth and the formation of the hearts in the image of Christ, the High Priest.
The academic act ended with the singing of the hymn Gaude Mater Polonia.
Vivat Academia, vivant Teachers!
Br. Cyprian Mazurek, OFM
