In one of the opening conferences of the CEVIM 2002 meeting, Fr. Stanislaw Rospond CM gave us a brief history of the Congregation of the Mission in Poland. From its inception ? the time of St Vincent (1651) – to the present day, the Polish Province has had a successful and yet chequered career. There were periods when it is was in ascendancy, membership was high and they were very much involved in the Congregational works of seminary and giving of missions. At other times there was oppression, suppression of the Province, loss of property etc. To me, as I listened to it, I could not help but reflect on the ?season? nature of the Church and of any Province. There would be times of light and times of darkness, times of joy, times of sorrow.At present the Irish Church and our Province are going through a winter season, and it is certainly worth while reflecting on the life of the Polish Church and the Polish Province. They have gone through dark periods and yet, have risen again to contribute and to continue the work of Jesus Christ and St. Vincent. Another beacon of hope in Poland was the presence of so many young faces among the clergy and religious communities, particularly among our own confreres and, when we visited, the Daughters of Charity.
For more information visit the site of the Irsh Province of the CM at http://www.vincentians.ie/YouthworkPoland.htm
Tags: Youth
