Formation weekend · Warsaw
For province leaders, especially new leaders, and all current or future mission leaders in the Emmanuel Community.
16–18 OCT 2026 · Teachings, a practical workshop, prayer and community time with the Emmanuel Community.
Registration is closed
WHY THIS WEEKEND?
Leadership in the Community is not a prize for the most competent. It is a response to a call, lived with others, rooted in prayer and shaped over time.
This weekend is a place to breathe, learn, hear honest stories and take the next faithful step. Come with your questions. Come with what is unfinished.
ONE FAMILY
LEARN TOGETHERWORSHIP
WARSAW BY NIGHT16–18 OCTOBER 2026
All times are local to Warsaw (CEST). Use “Join online” to attend the streamed sessions via Google Meet.
16 October
Welcome, coffee and tea.
Teaching by Maria & Marcin Rossa
17 October
Teaching by Gergo & Maggie Marik
Leadership in the spirit of service: discerning, listening and leading with the heart rather than relying on position. Teaching: approximately 90 minutes.
Lower church · Chapel of St Francis (kaplica św. Franciszka).
Workshop led by Kamila Szymańska
Take the VIA character strengths test ↗
Please complete the test before Kamila’s workshop.
18 October
Teaching by Dominique Dewulf
Followed by questions and answers within this session.
Lower church · Chapel of St Francis (kaplica św. Franciszka).
WHAT WE WILL EXPLORE
Teachings will be woven together with personal testimonies, small-group conversation and concrete practice.
Responding to God’s call and allowing Him to form us for service.
Leadership in the spirit of service: discerning, listening and leading with the heart rather than relying on position.
Discovering how our talents can serve others and the Community.
Take the VIA character strengths test ↗Communication and conflict management at the heart of our call to responsibility and service.
Formation on unity and balance in life, followed by questions and answers.
HELP SHAPE OUR FORMATION
Which topics would you be interested in exploring during the year? Choose up to 4 topics and add your own ideas.
We learn leadership from people who said yes before they felt ready.
STORIES THAT STAY WITH YOU
Leaders from different countries, vocations and stages of service will speak honestly about calling, failure, conflict, grace and the surprising ways God equips us.
FAITH
COURAGE
FREEDOM
A PLACE WITH A WITNESS
We will meet at Dom Pielgrzyma AMICUS, within the parish grounds of St Stanislaus Kostka in Warsaw’s Żoliborz district.
This is the church where Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko served and celebrated his famous Masses for the Homeland. His grave and museum are next door. On 14 June 1987, St John Paul II came here to pray at Fr Jerzy’s grave and meet his parents.
“Overcome evil with good.”Romans 12:21 · motto associated with Blessed JerzyDiscover the museum ↗
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY
About 8–10 minutes on foot. Follow Mickiewicza Street, then turn towards Hozjusza.
Take public transport towards the city centre and continue by metro to Plac Wilsona, or use a taxi.
Metro M1 from Centrum to Plac Wilsona, then a short walk to AMICUS.
All are located within the same parish complex, directly beside the venue.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The fee includes accommodation for the weekend of 16–18 October and meals.
GOOD TO KNOW
Everything you need to prepare your journey and arrive in Warsaw with peace of mind.
Yes, you are very welcome to extend your stay. Just tell us your arrival and departure dates in advance. We can help you arrange accommodation, depending on your preference: either with brothers and sisters from the Community, subject to availability, or in a hotel. Additional hotel nights are not included in the weekend fee.
Yes. We want you to encounter this exceptional city, not only attend the sessions. Warsaw is one of Europe’s most modern and green capitals, with a fascinating story of destruction, courage and renewal. We are planning time to see the city and share some of its history with you.
We will stay at Dom Pielgrzyma AMICUS, next to St Stanislaus Kostka Church in Warsaw’s Żoliborz district. Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko served here, celebrated the Masses for the Homeland and is buried beside the church. St John Paul II prayed at his grave in 1987. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, also visited the grave in 2002.
Fr Jerzy Popiełuszko was a Polish priest and chaplain to the Solidarity movement. In the communist period he defended human dignity, truth and freedom through the Gospel, prayer and peaceful resistance. His Masses for the Homeland drew thousands of people. In October 1984 he was abducted and murdered by officers of the communist security service. He was beatified as a priest and martyr in Warsaw in 2010. His witness is closely associated with the words: “Overcome evil with good.”
The weekend is intended for province leaders, especially those who are new in their role, and for current or future mission leaders in the Emmanuel Community. It is also for people discerning a new responsibility and wanting to understand leadership as service, lived in communion with others.
The fee includes accommodation for the weekend of 16–18 October and meals. Travel to and from Warsaw is arranged individually.
Bring comfortable clothes and shoes for walking in Warsaw, something warm for the October evenings, your Bible and something for taking notes. Most importantly, come with your questions and with an open heart.
REGISTRATION
Thank you to everyone who registered for the Formation Weekend in Warsaw.
You can still join the streamed sessions online. Find the sessions in the programme and click “Join online”.
See the programme