Franciscans, photo: franciszkanie.plCelebrations are under way, including a special football game in Krakow, of the 800 year existence of the Franciscan Church in Poland.
Click on the icon above to listen to a related report by Joanna Najfeld from Polish Radio English Section
The Franciscan Order was established 800 years ago. In Poland, the anniversary is to start in the southern city of Kraków with a collection for the poor, acting true to the example set by Saint Francis.
Brother Paweł Teperski from the Order said told Polish Radio that, "[the Franciscans] will be asking for help for [poor] people, because we don’t just want this anniversary to be a celebration, we as Franciscans want to experience this time too."
The Order is also planning many events to bring together the people of many cities. In Kraków there is also to be a football match, as well as other happenings to bring people together.
The Franciscans have also been very popular amongst the laity, and many people fascinated by the life of Saint Francis have been able to join the Franciscans' third order, the Lay Franciscans.
Other celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary of the Order took place in Rome and Assisi after the feast of Easter this year. (jb)