For three years now, a team of Piarists from the Polish Province has been organising a retreat project for children, i.e. primary school children (aged between 7 and 15). Rafa\u0142 Stenka and Jacek Wolan (once with the help of Jaros\u0142aw Kuczaj, junior) have already visited schools run by the Piarists, Piarist schools or public schools of Piarist parishes in the following places: Krak\u00f3w, Rzesz\u00f3w (two schools), Boles\u0142awiec, Katowice, Elbl\u0105g, Jelenia G\u00f3ra – Cieplice, Warsaw, Pozna\u0144. We will continue in the other places during the next Lent; and with others – who would like to join this project.<\/p>\n
The narrator of the retreat is St Joseph Calasanz, but in an atypical and unique way, i.e. he is presented as a hand puppet. Calasanz tells some short stories and experiences from his life, e.g. how he dealt with his companions who mocked his holiness, how he developed his seemingly ordinary talents and how he forgave those who wronged him. The catechetical themes are developed by the Piarists, who are portrayed as his sons, members of his order and co-workers in his presence. They always appear in the formal dress of the Piarists, i.e. the habit.<\/p>\n
Over the course of the three-day retreat, the story of Joseph of Egypt from the Book of Genesis is told. The participants learn about the vicissitudes of this protagonist: Joseph, beloved son of Jacob; punished and sold by his brothers; enslaved and then taken to prison in Egypt; Pharaoh’s dream about fat and lean cows is explained; Joseph, viceroy and steward of Egypt’s resources; an emotional encounter with Joseph who is recognised by his brothers; the arrival of Jacob’s entire family in the land of Egypt. The entire story is presented in theatrical episodes, and some actions are presented as drama to invite audience interaction. Two actors change their costumes and play the role of the main characters of the story, especially when Joseph is dressed in a tunic with decorated sleeves, and his elderly father Jacob.<\/p>\n
The narration of Joseph’s story is divided to address the main themes of the story. It is told by the Piarist Fathers in the dynamics of a short catechesis that develops the following themes: the life of each child rooted in his family; the attitude of gratitude; the consequences of envy lived; the avalanche of lies; the voice of conscience and reason; the price of honesty; the slander and sins of the tongue; the development of talents; the unexpected traces of God’s providence; the possibility of revenge or forgiveness; the joy of forgiveness.<\/p>\n
To illustrate some of the above themes, the parables are acted out with puppets. One parable was chosen for each day. The first is about the labourers who worked a whole day, a few hours or just an hour in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). It shows us on the one hand the justice and on the other the generosity of the owner and at the same time the envy of the first labourer. The parable of the talents, which an owner divides among three servants according to their abilities, namely five, two and one (Matthew 25:14-30). The servant who received only one talent, which, although it was of great value, did not even increase that one talent. The third day bears the title of forgiveness and mercy (Matthew 18:23-35). The merciful master forgave his servant the unimaginable sum of ten thousand talents, while he himself was very cruel and would not even forgive his fellow servant one hundred denarii.<\/p>\n
During the three-day retreat, the children learn a song with choreographic elements. Their words and gestures relate to the themes that appear in the story of Joseph. “No, no, do not be afraid, do not give up, because the good Lord is there. He will get you out of everything” – this is the refrain.<\/p>\n
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