Jiří Maria Million

Friar Jiří Maria is from Lelekovice, a village near Vranov u Brna, where he spent his life in close proximity to the church, the rectory, and the faith community. He grew up in a partially religious family, and even though his siblings went their own ways, he remained with his elderly mother—faithful to his home, traditions, and the spiritual environment that shaped him.

From an early age, he attended religion classes and found both comfort and direction in the church in Lelekovice. A warm relationship with the local pastor opened the door for him to a deeper understanding of spiritual life. In his youth, he had somewhat romantic notions about his life, but these were gradually replaced by a clearer understanding: life is meant to be a conscious journey toward God. And it was precisely this longing for the fullness of spiritual life that ultimately led him to the Order of Minims in Vranov u Brna.

He originally trained as a painter and enjoyed his work. Nevertheless, he carried within him an ever-stronger inner voice calling him elsewhere. He entered the Order of Minims of St. Francis of Paola on September 1, 1994. His religious formation began in Italy, where, after a year in Massa Lubrense, he took his first vows. He then decided to stay a little longer in the cradle of the Order—in Paola, the birthplace of St. Francis of Paola. He spent another five years there, which strengthened him greatly both spiritually and personally.

After taking his perpetual vows, he returned to the monastery in Vranov, where he serves as a lay friar. In the community of the Order, he has found security, joy, and meaning in every day—especially in communal prayer and service. He loves working in the garden and tending to the bees, which he considers silent teachers of patience and order. In his free time, he enjoys reading, listening to Radio Proglas, and discovering new layers of the spiritual and musical worlds—regardless of genre, as long as the music speaks to the heart.

Pilgrimages hold a special place in his life. Every year, he sets out on foot for Velehrad, which involves three days of prayer, sharing, physical exertion, and spiritual reflection. For him, the pilgrimage is not only a way to draw closer to God but also to meet people who are seeking the same path.

His message is clear: “Pray for priests and religious. And do not be afraid to entrust yourselves to God’s hands—through confession, through conversation, through a heart open to God.”

He sees the Spiritual Center in Vranov u Brna as a place of peace, contemplation, and renewal. It is a space where one can reflect on one’s life and problems and seek answers—together with God, in silence as well as in community. At the Spiritual Center, he not only serves but also invites us: stop by, come back. And rediscover silence, fellowship, and the power of prayer. God is waiting for you.

And what will happen in ten years? Only God knows that…”

Friar Jiří Maria is a man of quiet witness—one that is not ostentatious, but deep and rooted in trust. In a world full of haste, overload, and uncertainty, he shows that peace, order, and faith are not relics of the past, but a path for today. He invites us to return to our roots—to prayer, to love, to trust.