Meeting of CECOC post-novices in Prague
- Published in Formation
The second meeting of the post-novices of the CECOC Conference took place from September 1-3, 2016, at our Capuchin friary in Prague. The meeting aimed to foster awareness, collaboration, and the sharing of experiences among the participants. Present also was our General Vicar, Br. Štefan Kožuh. The first meeting was held two years ago in Lublin, Poland. The friary of Prague was chosen this time, not only because it was founded in 1599 by our saintly brother Lawrence of Brindisi, but also because it was a good meeting place, in the heart of Europe, accessible to all and with sufficient space to receive and welcome a large number of friars. In fact, the young friars, accompanied by their formators, were from many countries of Eastern Europe, among them Romania, Croatia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
The theme of this year’s meeting was, “The personality and the life of St. Agnes of Prague.” Br. Pacifico, the speaker, presented the story of her life while Sr. Rachel, a Capuchin sister from the Convent of Šternberk, spoke on theme of contemplative prayer. The friars also looked forward to the arrival of the General Minister, Br. Mauro Jöhri, who was available for questions, responding with a sincerity and warmth that made the atmosphere pleasant and friendly. Some friars had the chance to express their thoughts on the most interesting topics of the days spent together. Cristiano, a Capuchin friar from the Province of Slovakia, who participated for the first time, expressed joy for the ways in which the friars communicated with one another, and for how prayer and recreation was experienced in common.
Naturally the Liturgy of the Hours was prayed in common, chanting the rhythm of the psalms, even with sixty-five friars from different countries. Thus was our prayer, with the psalms and canticles resounding from one choir but in many different languages. It was truly beautiful to hear the diversity and the variety of cultures and different languages, but all gathered under the one ‘heart’ of prayer turned to God.
The meeting was a ‘Splendid experience of fraternity,’ said one young friar, in which the linguistic and cultural barriers were overcome quickly. Having recreation together was also a beautiful moment of sharing and joy. To the desire to meet and share our own experiences as young religious was also added the cultural aspect, and thus the meeting became ever richer as an experience of the friendly and fraternal style of our charism.
In all this – the young friar continues – I see that Jesus was not joking when he prayed to the Father, saying, As you, Father, are in me and I in you, may these also be one in us …” I have understood and experienced that this is possible even among different cultures and nations.