As part of the celebration activities of the 800th Franciscan Jubilee, some of the young friars from the Conference of the Transalpine Franciscans (COTAF) gathered at the Hungarian novitiate house in Szécsény from 23 to 26 April 2026. Among the participants there were postulants, novices, simple professed friars and their formators coming from Autria, Switzerland, Transylvania (Romania) and Hungary. Also some brothers from the Slovakian Province with their formator joined the pilgrimage.
Br. Gabriel Szoliva, formation director from Hungary, presided the opening Holy Eucharist and Br. Erik Urban, Minister Provincial of St. Steven King Province preached. In his homily he invited the young brothers to walk along this same path, as Francis did; sometimes it can be an easy path, sometimes it can be tired, dusty, in silence or in conversation –but it may be enough to notice each others precense along this path.
Right after mass the brothers started the 28 kilometers pilgrimage towards The Marian National Shrine Mátraverebély-Szentkút. During the walk there was a time to pray, to meditate in silence and there was a time for sharing. Br. Marco Mendoza, from the Pontifical Marian Academy, shared with the students about the maternal precence of the Virgin Mary since the early beginnings of the Order. At the arrival the local community of friars welcomed the group.
The second day of the pilgrimage, Br. Darko Tepert, Secretary General for Formation and Studies, presided the mass and in his homily he shared that initial formation is not a time for appearing perfect, it is the school where the Lord transforms weakness into witness.
On the 28 kilometers way back home, the brothers had again the oportunity to pray and contemplate nature. The gathering concluded with the Sunday mass celebrated with the faithful of the Parish of Szécséy
This event was possible through the generosity of the welcoming Province of Our Lady Queen of Hungary and Br. Lorand Portik-Lukács who coordinate the organization of this meaningful event.
