On October 6–10, 2026, the traditional meeting of the major superiors and superiors of the general vicariates of the Congregation of Marian Fathers took place in Rome. It was a time to strengthen fraternal bonds, exchange experiences, and discern the future directions of the Congregation’s development together.
The first plenary session was dedicated to the presence of the Marians in Vietnam. Fr. Bogusław Gil, MIC, superior of the local vicariate, presented the history of the mission, the formation of the first community, and the path of initial formation. Participants also learned about the challenges associated with the specific nature of the local Church and culture. Vietnamese society does not always easily open up to foreign missionaries, and local piety remains deeply rooted in indigenous traditions. The majority of the clergy are native Vietnamese.
One of the crucial tasks is proclaiming the Gospel in a way that is understandable to the local population while preserving its core message—the Paschal Mystery of Christ. The Marians emphasize that it is not a matter of adapting the Gospel to the culture, but rather evangelizing the culture itself.
Three Vietnamese deacons also shared their stories, speaking about their journey of discerning their Marian vocation and how they envision their future ministry in their homeland.
In subsequent sessions, the provincial superiors and heads of vicariates presented the situation of the communities entrusted to them. Among the topics discussed were formation, the administration of temporal goods, and the building of unity. While each unit faces its own distinct challenges, hope is drawn from a shared readiness for mutual support—spiritually, personally, and financially.
For several newly appointed superiors of general vicariates, this was their first meeting of this kind. They emphasized that participating allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of the Congregation, enriched them through the experiences of their confreres, and provided an opportunity to learn about solutions used in other countries.
A key highlight of the program was a joint visit to the Franciscan sanctuary in Greccio, in the province of Rieti near Rome. It was there, on Christmas in 1223, that St. Francis of Assisi created the first live nativity scene to help bring the Gospel message of the Incarnation closer to the people, especially those who could not read.
Alongside official deliberations, there was also time for informal conversations and gatherings, which fostered the growth of fraternal relationships.
The next meeting of superiors is scheduled for July 2027. It will be combined with a pilgrimage to places associated with the Renovator of the Congregation, Blessed Abp George Matulaitis-Matulewicz, marking the centenary of his death.