Dębki, October 19 – 22, 2013
Traditionally, for many, many years, in the second half of September, we gather at our retreat house in Dębki to experience our annual retreat. This year was no different. On Thursday around 8 PM, the chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa began to fill with brothers from the following Communities: from Gdańsk, Złocieniec, Poznań Krzyżownik, Poznań Wilda, Warsaw, Radziwiłłów, and Krokowa – who traditionally experience these retreats by commuting. In total, during these days from Thursday to Sunday, 58 brothers (including 9 candidates) passed through the center. The retreat was led by Father Tadeusz Gajda CR, but we were also joined by the moderator of the Warsaw community, Father Stanisław Pankiewicz CR.
Each retreat day began with personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and ended with the Marian Appeal.
Day I. The retreat catechesis guided us to answer the question: am I a man who lives as God created him; do I pray, am I the spiritual leader of my family, is my life coherent... these are some of the issues of this topic. The penitential liturgy and individual confession, as well as the opportunity to remain with the Eucharistic Christ and meditate in the beautiful terrain of the Stations of the Cross, were other points we experienced that day. During the rosary prayer, we mentioned by name and presented to God all the Brothers who celebrate their anniversaries in September: birthdays, name days, wedding anniversaries, promise anniversaries, and also those Brothers whom God has already called to Himself. Before the Appeal, we gathered in the chapter hall to discuss important topics affecting our Community.
Day II. For several years during the retreats, we have been reflecting on topics about men's spirituality, and this year was no different. This time, the moderator – retreat leader touched on another issue from the above topics: man – changing the world. Due to the earlier departure of one Community, there was a change in the program, and during today's Eucharist, we celebrated the silver jubilee of those brothers who, a quarter of a century ago, made their promises to live, work, and serve God as External Brothers in our Congregation. On September 18, 1988, during the retreat in Dębki, 19 brothers made their promises to the then moderator Father Ireneusz Hanzewniak: from Bytom – 1, Gdańsk – 8, Kościerzyna – 3, and Poznań Krzyżownik – 7. Of this number, 7 have persevered to this day, 11 have passed away, and 1 has withdrawn from participating in the life of the Community. Four brothers participated in the thanksgiving Eucharist. Three from Poznań Krzyżownik (Zygmunt, Roman - "from the hermitage in Krępsko", and Władysław), and one from Gdańsk (Andrzej). The others, due to poor health, will receive a blessing from Father General Bernard Hylla in their Communities. After reading the formula renewing the promises, the Jubilarians received a warm applause from the Eucharist participants. In our prayer, we remembered those whom the Risen Lord has already called to Himself. After the liturgy, we gathered outside the chapel to capture this event in a group photo. During this day, we also had the opportunity to get to know each other better and listen to "what's happening" in the individual Communities. We offered the rosary prayer in thanksgiving and supplication intentions affecting the life of our Brothers' community. At the end of the day, there was an opportunity to watch the film: "Meetings", which fits very well with the theme of our retreat days.
Day III. It was a joint Eucharist and... we leave the incredibly hospitable Dębki! (wonderful hosts and staff, wonderful weather, landscapes already donning autumn attire) and... we say to each other: thank you Brother! for the wonderful retreat community and see you next year! (BZ)
