– Being a monk is an incredible adventure of friendship with God and others – said Bishop Jacek Kiciński CMF, President of the Commission of the Polish Episcopate for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Responding to the question of the title of the conference, he stated that there is no Church without religious life and vice versa. He noted that consecrated life is a living reminder of Christ’s presence in the world, and without consecrated people the world would be very poor. As he pointed out, religious are especially where people suffer and experience difficulties. They teach faith, faithfulness and the daily life of faith. They show that life on earth is a pilgrimage.
“Consecrated people are very much needed in mission countries, for example in African countries,” said Father Eric Hounaké SVD, a missionary from Togo serving in Warsaw and living in Poland for 15 years. As he pointed out, consecrated persons are concerned not only with the preaching of the Gospel, but in general with the care of the whole man, his health, his education, etc. A very important witness for local communities, often immersed in wars and conflicts, is also the fact that religious live in international communities.
Sr. Agnieszka Podles SSpS, who spent 4 years on mission in South America, spoke about what it is like to work in a school in southern Paraguay, the needs and gratitude of local residents.
Father Mykhailo Romaniv OP of the Center of St. Marcin de Porres in Fastów. As he pointed out, the most important thing we can do in this situation is to stay put with those who need us. This is what the monks working there are trying to do in Ukraine. Seizing the opportunity about Romaniv, he also expressed his gratitude to the Church of Poland, without which such great help to those in need would not be possible.
Conference participants also spoke of the need for consecrated persons in Poland. For example, there would be no Franciscan cultural center in Leżajsk without them. The rich activity of this center was presented by its director, Father Bartymeusz Kędzior OFM. As he pointed out, it was possible to build a living Church in this place. He spoke eg. about 300 children developing their passions and talents at the Discovery Academy, on the Christian Culture Festival, philosophy and theology courses, numerous workshops, courses and meetings that take place at the center and on the space special meeting place created by the local cafe.
Who today has the time to leave with a group of young people for a 2-month trip by bike in Siberia, around Iceland or on foot in the Romanian mountains? “Today’s young people are often very lonely people, abandoned by adults. Our activity is to create a space for encounters – said Fr. Tomasz Maniura OMI of the Center for Young Oblates “Niniwa” in Kokotek. Connecting with those gathered online, he spoke of the many fruits of this ministry and how religious life, seemingly full of limitations, can in fact be a tremendously creative, colorful and satisfying life.
Professional psychological help based on Christian anthropology is also the field of activity of many consecrated persons. Sr. Władysława Krasiczyńska CSSJ, working at the Office of Psychology “Duc in altum” in Wrocław, spoke about her activities, her service to lay people, priests and monks, but also her testimony to others – not necessarily believers – of people who help others. Drawing on her experience, she underlined that the answer to the question: “Do we need consecrated persons today? is: “Certainly yes!”.
You find consecrated people everywhere, without even realizing it. Dorota Franków, representative of the Institutes of Consecrated Life, told us about consecrated lay people, who do not dress and stand out from the environment and who perform ordinary lay professions – in the hospital, at school, to the editorial office, the local government or the Sejm. As she pointed out, consecrated lay people live in the world, wanting to be close to people in difficulty and wanting to show them the prospect of salvation.
The conference, which took place at the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Polish Episcopate in Warsaw, was led by Fr. Leszek Gęsiak SJ, spokesperson for the Polish Bishops’ Conference. The meeting was organized by the Commission for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Conferences of Major Religious Superiors and the Press Office of the Polish Episcopal Conference.
