From April 28 to May 2, the fraternal visit of the Minister General, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, accompanied by the General Definitor, Br. Konrad Cholewa, to the Province of Santa Edvige, in Poland, took place. As the theme of the visit, the Minister General chose the words taken from the book of Isaiah: “Behold, I am doing something new” (Is 43:18-19).
On Sunday April 28, Br. Massimo met in Góra św. Anny with members of the Secular Franciscan Order, coming from regions where the friars of the provinces of S. Edvige and of the Assumption BVM are active. Br. Konrad presided at the mass in the basilica, while the Minister General preached the homily. The meeting with members of the Secular Franciscan Order took place in the pilgrimage house in the afternoon.
On Monday April 29 and Wednesday May 1, two meetings with the friars of the province took place. The first meeting was held at Trzebnica, in the sanctuary of S. Edvige of Silesia, patroness of the province, while the later meeting took place at Prudnik, in the sanctuary of S. Joseph, where there was celebrated the thanksgiving for the brothers who in 2024 are celebrating their jubilees of religious and priestly life. In the biblical text already mentioned, the prophet encourages the chosen people, who found themselves enslaved, to not look to the past, but to continue toward the future and to undertake new activities, the fruit of discernment in the Divine Spirit, despite the various currently difficulties experienced.
The stay in the Province was the occasion not only to meet the brothers at Wrocław, Nysa, Kłodzko e Prudnik, but also to get to know their work. Br. Massimo visited the Table for the poor and homeless at Wrocław Karłowice, managed by Fundacja Antoni. In addition to the distribution of food, activities carried out are aimed at helping the needy and the poor out of their difficult situation. On the territory of the convent there is also a physical therapy laboratory for the disabled. In the city of Nysa the Minister General visited the Fazenda da Esperança, the first center of its kind in Poland, which helps people overcome various addictions through the renewal of life.
Br. Massimo also met with the community of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration at Ząbkowice Śląskie and Kłodzko, surrounded by the assistance of the brothers. Finally, at Jutrzyna, where the brothers provide their service, he visited the only sanctuary on Polish soil dedicated to St. Francis.
Watch the video of the Fundacja Antoni (Polish and English)
