Poland. After a six-year hiatus due to Covid restrictions, the Superior General of the Claretian Missionaries, Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF, has finally carried out a canonical visit to the Province of Polska in Poland. The visit took place from April 1st to May 9th, 2023, and included a tour of the communities, parishes, and works of the Claretian Missionaries in Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Accompanied by Fr. Antoni Badura, CMF, as his translator, the Father General visited several places during his tour, including cities such as Warsaw, Plock, Lodz, Miedary, Paczyna, Kudowa-Zdroj, Wroclaw, Krzydlina Mala, Truskavets, and Boryslaw. Due to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, he was unable to personally visit the communities in Russia, so a virtual meeting was held, and a visit was scheduled for next year.
During his visit, the Father General had several important meetings with various officials, including the Provincial Government, Local Superiors, various bishops, and the Government of the Dependent Delegation of Jean Paul II. He also visited the community of the Claretian Sisters RMI in Warsaw, participated in the Claretian Renewal Days in Krzydlina Mala, and paid his respects at the concentration camp in Auschwitz.
What do canonical visits aim to achieve?
Canonical visits by the Superior General or the people he delegates help strengthen the relationship between different Claretian communities, reinforce the missionary commitment of the Congregation in the region, and boost the journey of the Claretian Missionaries towards the Congregation’s dream for 2027.
Source | P. Lukasz Przybylo, CMF, Provincial Secretary of Polska
