Neither masters nor leaders — disciples like Mary, the uncomfortable sister we need Discipleship and Brotherhood In his homily, Br. Olivier de Saint Martin referenced a humorous remark by Br. Krzysztof: “Although I like Mary’s attitude, I would marry Martha.” So perhaps Mary Magdalene could be considered our sister-in-law? And yet—as the preacher reminded us—more important are the words attributed…
“Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine.”— Isaiah 43:1 Is Mary Magdalene our sister? According to the humorous opinion of Brother Krzysztof Poplawski, reported by Brother Jaroslav on Sunday: “Although I like Mary’s attitude, I would marry Martha.” Mary Magdalene would then be his sister-in-law. In sed contra, Mary…
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.”— Matthew 13:9 The well-known phrase “Silence is the preacher’s father” is an expression that emphasizes the importance of silence for preaching. But silence is not only one more element for the preparation and effectiveness of a preacher, it is a fundamental and permanent attitude of listening to the Word of God, in Sacred Scripture,…
The Gift of Perspective When I caught one of the brothers at the monastery gate and asked him how he was dealing with the heat, which can be truly unbearable here — when the sun heats the walls until nightfall, and the concrete gives off the heat it has absorbed throughout the day, warming up the already scorching city —…
“The Gospel Against Forgetfulness: Saint Bridget and the Memory that Saves”Remember the whole journey that the Lord your God has led you on.”— Deuteronomy 8:2 Feast of St. Bridget of SwedenExodus 16:1-5, 9-15 / Ps 78 / Matthew 13:1-9 There is no hope without remembrance The book of Exodus takes its name from a Greek word that captures the exit or…
“We carry this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”—2 Corinthians 4:7 St James the Apostle: Krakow 2025 ‘Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.’ What a marvellous text for a General Chapter of…
The Power of Stories in Preaching Among the friars, there’s a well-known anecdote – told in many versions – about a time when someone asked a Jesuit, “Is it true you always answer a question with another question?” The Jesuit simply smiled and replied, “Who says that?” A similar story could easily be told about the Dominicans, with the claim…
“Let them both grow together until the harvest.”(Matthew 13:30) Under the sign of patience. If we are to remember Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, we must – if we are to believe the proto-gospel of James – remember two great figures of patience. Patient – perhaps even resigned – weary of waiting for the child who does not come, yet…
“On the day I called, you answered me; you increased the strength of my soul.”(Psalm 138:3) “The humiliation of humanity.” These are the words I recall our brother Łukasz Wiśniewski using to describe the 20th century, when he preached for the Mass of the Holy Spirit, beginning our general chapter. He was describing such places of 20th-century humiliation as the…
Decision-Making Under Pressure “Should we act now? Should we wait?”This question recurs in the life of everyone who has to make decisions, let alone in the life of a superior such as a provincial, who is responsible for the brothers, for the structures, for the mission. “Should we act? Should we do it now? Is now the right time? Sometimes…
