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Father Jan Bukowicz, MIC
(10.20.1924 - 01.03.2012)
Father Jan Bukowicz, MIC, son of Wojciech and Michalina née Jędrzejak, was born on October 20, 1924, in Moskule Nowe of the Zgierz county in the Province and Archdiocese of Łódź. He graduated from middle school in 1938. In 1938-39, he made his first year at the Marian gymnasium in Bielany-Warsaw. He did his two following years at the gymnasium clandestinely, while residing at our religious house in Warsaw-Praga. In August 1945, he started his novitiate in Skórzec, where he also made his first profession of vows on August 15, 1946. In the academic year of 1947-49, he finished the last year at the Bielany gymnasium followed by his studies at the local lyceum in 1947-49, which he completed by obtaining the high-school certificate. He made his perpetual vows on August 15, 1949, in Licheń. In 1949-54, he made his two-year study of philosophy at Bielany, followed by three years of theology. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Zygmunt Choromański on June 29, 1954, at the Arch-cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Warsaw. In the academic year of 1954-55, he completed the fourth year of theology at the Seminary in Włocławek.
After finishing the seminary, in 1955-56 Fr. Jan served as a catechist in Licheń. Then, in 1956-60, he studied at the Faculty of Canon Law of the Catholic University of Lublin, obtaining his Master’s degree in 1959, and the degree of the Doctor in Canon Law in 1960. Appointed by the General Superior to the office of the Provincial Secretary, Fr. Jan carried this duty in 1960-64. In 1964 he was made the Vice-Postulator of the beatification processes of the Servants of God Fr. Stanislaus Papczyński and Fr. Casimir Wyszyński. In 1966, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński appointed him the defender of matrimony at the Metropolitan Court of Law in Warsaw. In 1967, the Provincial dispatched Fr. Jan to work at the Committee of the National Conference of Bishops in charge of revising the Code of Canon Law. Also that year, he was called to serve as the curator of the Congregation of Sisters Handmaids of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1969, Fr. Jan was elected the General Postulator with residency at the General House in Rome, in view of which the Primate of Poland released him of his duties at the court of law. Upon Bishop Władysław Rubin’s request and with consent of his superiors, Fr. Jan was appointed the protector of the Polish pilgrims to Rome in the Holy Year 1975.
Upon his return from Rome in 1976, Fr. Jan became the custodian of the Founder’s tomb and the rector of Our Lord’s Cenacle Church in Marianki-Góra Kalwaria. The Provincial Superior also made him a section supervisor at the Marian Publishing House and gave into his care, together with subdeacon T. Górski, the Provincial Archives. In 1979, Fr. Jan became the Vice-Postulator of the beatification causes in the Polish Province of the Congregation of Marian Fathers. Also that year, the Provincial Superior put Fr. Jan, as the Chair of Provincial Pre-Chapter Committee, in charge of preparations for the Provincial Chapter of 1981.
In 1983-86, Fr. Jan served at the Metropolitan Court of Law as the defender of matrimony. In 1984, the Provincial Superior appointed him a member of the Provincial Secretariat for authorship and publications. In 1986, Fr. Jan became member of the Committee preparing the materials about Fr. Renovator, George Matulewicz, in view of his awaited beatification. In 1987, Fr. Jan was transferred to the religious house in Warsaw-Marymont and became the moderator of the Bielany College alumnae. In 1988, he was made the substitute delegate of the Primate of Poland for the beatification process of the Servant of God Fr. Ignacy Kłopotowski. In 1989-91, Fr. Jan reassumed the duties of the Vice-Postulator in the beatification processes of the Servants of God Fr. Stanislaus Papczyński and Casimir Wyszyński. In 1991, he included as member in the committee in charge of conducting the beatification processes of the Servants of God Fr. Władysław Korniłowicz, Fr. Józef Stanek, Cardinal August Hlond, Fr. George Kaszyra, and Fr. Anthony Leszczewicz. In 1995, Fr. Jan became Chairman of the Marian Historical Institute. The fruit of this team’s work is the collection titled “Fontes Historiae Marianorum.” In 2000, Fr. Jan was transferred to our Congregation’s oldest house in Puszcza Mariańska.
He was the author of many books and articles mainly pertaining to the Congregation’s heritage, such as: The Marian Martyrs of Rosica, “Witnessed of Faith,” etc., as well as the editor and co-editor of Blessed George Matulaitis-Matulewicz’s works such as “Journal,” “Selected Writings,” and “The Beatification” and the works of Fr. Józef Jarzębowski: “Wartime Letters” and “Diary of 1923-1927.” Father Jan prepared for publication four consecutive editions of the “Album of the Dead.” For many years he conducted history classes in the Marian novitiate and was for some years the postulancy moderator and the master of the perpetual novitiate.
Father Jan spent last weeks of his life in the Żyrardów hospital, where he died on January 3, 2012.
May he rest in peace.
Father Ryszard Kukiełka, MIC
(02.20.1957 - 10.12.2011)
Father Ryszard Kukiełka, MIC, son of Józef and Janina neé Dyniec, was born Feb. 20, 1957, in Zamość. He also finished his elementary and high school there. Upon obtaining his high school certificate, he completed three years at the Wrocław Politechnic University. In 1982, he was admitted to the Congregation of Marian Fathers and made his first vows in Skórzec on Sept. 8, 1983, after completing his novitiate. Next, he began his studies at the Marian Major Seminary in Lublin. On August 26, 1988, in Elbląg, he made his perpetual profession in our Congregation. On June 3, 1990, Bishop Zbigniew Kraszewski ordained him to the priesthood at the church of our Lady Mother of Mercy in Warsaw-Stegny. After the ordination, Fr. Ryszard was sent to fill the duties of a catechist, parish vicar, and house counselor in Skórzec. In 1994-96, he took the German language course at the university in Eichstädt along with pastoral training in preparation for his ministry in Germany. In 1996-98 he served at the Marian post in Vilgertshofen, carrying out the duties of the house counselor and working pastorally in nearby parishes. In 1998, he was transferred to our house in Grzybowo. In 1999-2005, he went to Stoczek Klasztorny to take over the office of the house superior and treasurer. Later he also became the pastor of local parish and the shrine of Our Lady of Peace. The following year he spent serving at the Marian shrine in Licheń, which he left for pastoral work at the rectoral church (located at Kościelna Street) in Grudziądz. During his two-year service there, he also completed his post-graduate studies at the Faculty of Theology of the Mikołaj Kopernik University in Toruń, obtaining the licentiate in Theology. From 2008, he was the pastor of The Divine Mercy Parish in Zakopane-Cyrhla. For more than a year he struggled against cancer, while continuing to carry out his pastoral obligations. He died in the night hours of Oct. 12, 2011, in the Rabka Hospice. May the Lord grant him eternal rest.
Father Julian Kałowski, MIC
(05.12.1933 - 10.04.2011)
Father Julian Kałowski, son of Stanisław and Zofia neé Lech, was born on May 12, 1933, in Dziechciniec, parish of Wiązowna in the district of Otwock of the diocese of Warsaw-Praga. After finishing six grade at elementary school in Malcanów and the seventh grade in Wiązowna, in 1950 Julian entered the Minor Seminary of the Catholic Apostolic Association in Wadowice-Kopiec, where he completed two years. In 1952 he asked to be admitted into the Congregation of Marian Fathers. He made his novitiate in Skórzec, after which he professed his first religious vows on August 15, 1953. Transferred to the house at Wileńska Street in Warsaw, in 1953-55 he completed his 10th and 11th grades, thus obtaining this "religious" high school certificate. In 1955-57, he studied philosophy and in 1957-58 he fulfilled the gate-keeper's duties at his religious house. He made his perpetual vows at Stoczek Klasztorny on August 15, 1957. In 1958-62 he studied theology at the Major Seminary in Włocławek, where he was also ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1962, by Bp Antoni Pawłowski. After the ordination, he attended the intercongregational pastoral course at the Institute of Theology run by the Franciscans in Cracow.
Father Julian's first post was in Grudziądz: he served there in 1963-43 as a catechist and did pastoral work at St. Francis Xavier Church. He transferred to Bielany in Warsaw. In 1964-65 he was the chaplain of the local hospital, also helping with organizing the Provincial Archives. In 1965-68, Fr. Julian served in Skórzec, carrying out the offices of a catechist, house treasurer, and the assistant Novice Master. In 1968 he obtained his high school certificate and was transferred afterwards to the Bielany House and sent to study at the Faculty of Canon Law of the Catholic Theological Academy – ATK (now the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University — UKSW). He graduated in 1971 with the Master's Degree in Canon Law. Next, he began writing his doctoral thesis. In 1971-72, he went to Rome in order to collect the necessary materials for his thesis entitled Odnowa Zakonu Marianów (studium prawno-historyczne) [Renewal of the Marian Order (Study of the legal and historical aspects)]. In 1983, he was named an assistant professor at the ATK. From 1984, Fr. Julian resided at the Warsaw-Marymont Religious House. In 1994, he was named a professor by the President of the Republic of Poland. Working at the Faculty of Law, Fr. Julian carried out the duties of a secretary, associate dean and dean of the Faculty. He was also the editor-in-chief of the semi-annual Prawo Kanoniczne [Canon Law]. Also, he was the censor of publications produced by ATK and UKSW, being at the same time the legal councilor and censor at the Marian Publishing House; a lector of the Religious Orders' Law in our seminary in Lublin and in our novitiate.
Father Julian prepared many confreres in our Province for their perpetual vows. He ran religious monthly renovations — time of spiritual renewal. He assisted numerous religious congregations in creating and formatting their constitutions. He wrote many articles and books on Canon Law. For his academic and didactical efforts, he was awarded a Knight's Cross and a Medal for National Education. He always displayed good humor and kindness toward his confreres. May the Good Lord grant him life eternal at the House of the Father.
Father Zdzisław Minota, MIC
(06.23.1935 - 09.12.2011)
Father Zdzisław Minota, son to Franciszek and Elżbieta neé Działek, was born on June 23, 1935, in the village of Pokrzywnica, parish of Goworowo, district of Ostrołęka, in the diocese of Łomża in Masovian Voivodship. He finished his elementary school in 1949 in Goworowo, and in the academic year of 1949/50 he did one year of high school in Warsaw. In 1950 he entered the Bielany juniorate. Having completed the 9th grade in 1952/23, he made his novitiate in Skórzec, followed by his first religious profession on Sept. 8, 1953. Immediately after, he was sent to the study at the Marian House of Studies in Warsaw-Praga, where he obtained his “religious” high-school certificate in 1955. In 1955/56 he did one year of philosophy at the Metropolitan Major Seminary in Warsaw. In 1956/57 he interrupted his studies because of work at the Warsaw-Praga religious house and parish. In 1957/58 he did his second year of philosophy, after which, during his break, he was sent to serve in Puszcza Mariańska. He made his perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1959. Later transferred to the House of Studies in Włocławek, he finished his theological studies at the local Major Seminary.
On his birthday in 1963, Zdzisław was ordained a priest by Bishop Kazimierz Majdański at the Cathedral Basilica in Włocławek. The next year he did the then-obligatory pastoral studies conducted by the Pallottine Fathers in Ołtarzew.
Father Zdzisław’s first pastoral post was in Grudziądz, where he served in 1964/65 as a youth catechist. In 1965/66 he was a catechist in Sierpiec. In 1966 he was transferred to the Włocławek House to help Fr. Eugeniusz Makulski preparing for the coronation of Our Lady of Licheń image. In 1967-78 he served as a catechist and assisted in pastoral work at the Warsaw-Praga house. He did this while fulfilling the duties of the Provincial Speaker for the Catechetic Ministry and the Service of the Altar, as well as being a member of the Apostolic Committee. Transferred to Góra Kalwaria, in 1978-81 he served as the pastor and first house counselor. In 1981-86 he was the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Warsaw-Praga, where he started the construction of a new parish church. In 1986-87 he resided in the Sulejówek religious house. In 1987 he was transferred to Zakopane-Cyrhla and fulfilled the office of house superior for two terms. Until 2001, he served as local pastor and treasurer, supervising the completion of the construction of the church and religious house. The solemn consecration of the Cyrhla shrine was performed by the Metropolitan of Cracow, Card. Franciszek Macharski, on Sept. 16, 2000. In Nov. 2001, Fr. Zdzisław was transferred to the Rdzawka house for residency and stayed there until 2006, when he was transferred to the Warsaw-Marymont House (2006-2011).
For many years, Fr. Zdzisław suffered from heart ailments that worsened with the passing of the time. He died in the morning of Sept. 12, 2011, at the Warsaw hospital. He had a special veneration for our Blessed Fr. Founder. In one of his letters to the Provincial Superior, Fr. Zdzisław spoke about his particular “devotion to our Founder” (05.09.2006): “For no other intention I prayed as hard as for the intention of his [Fr. Founder’s] beatitication.”
Father Henryk Eichler, MIC
(09.09.1932 - 04.29.2011)
Henryk Eichler was born September 9, 1932, in Zabrze, Poland. He entered the Polish Province novitiate of the Congregation of Marian Fathers in 1957 and made his first religious profession on Dec. 8, 1958, while still in the novitiate. His perpetual profession took place in Stoczek Klasztorny on Aug. 15, 1962, and on Feb. 2, 1965, in Wloclawek, he was ordained a priest. After his ordination, Fr. Henryk served as a secretary to Bishop Franciszek Brazys, then the Visitator to the Lithuanians in exile, whom he assisted in his pastoral work in the Diocese of Augsburg in Germany.
The Bishop’s sudden death left Fr. Henryk at St. Justine’s Parish in Bad Wörishofen, from which, after a few-months’ service, he was sent to work in London-Ealing house, being entrusted with the duties of the minister and religious house counselor. Following the general visitation of 1967 in England, Fr. Henryk became a member of the Roman religious house, from which he was directed to go to Germany to learn the pastoral work in the Diocese of Augsburg, where he stayed previously. Father Henryk spent the following 13 years working with his superiors’ permission at the parishes of Dorschahusen, Mindelau, and Schlingen.
While on the general visitation at the residence in Dorschahusen, Bishop Josef Stimfle invited the Marians to do the pastoral work at St. Albert’s Parish in Neu Ulm, where Fr. Henryk oversaw of the construction of a parish center and church, consecrated in 1984. Four years after, in response to the request from the Ordinary of the Diocese of Augsburg, Fr. Henryk took over the office of the pastor at the Vilgertshofen Parish as well as the superior of the Marian Religious House established at the local Marian Shrine. In 1991 he was nominated pastor of St. Canisius’ Parish in Augsburg, and then– of the Blessed George Matulaitis Religious House, established a year later.
From 1996, he was a pastor of the Medlingen Parish and the first local superior of the religious house erected there. From 2001, he served as a chaplain at the Dilingen house for elders. During the last four years of his life, due to his health problems, he resided in a Dilingen nursing home while still remaining a member of the local Marian religious house. He died in Medlingen on April 29, 2001.
Father Henryk dedicated most of his time and energy in his pastoral work to promoting the devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and delivering sermons of Marian character. As a Marian, he contributed to the initiation of our Congregation’s service at two centers of the Marian devotion in Germany. He was also the first to blaze the trail on the German soil for Marian devotion. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let the perpetual life shine upon him.
Father Edward Daraż, MIC
(11.15.1929 - 04.16.2011)
Father Daraż worked pastorally at the posts of Polish Province of the Congregation of the Marian Fathers. The last decades of his religious life and priestly service were given to the Shrine in Lichen, where he worked as a confessor of the pilgrims.
The funeral solemnity took place on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at St. Dorothy’s Church in Lichen Stary.
On April 16, 2011, Fr. Edward Daraż, MIC, 82 passed away. He has been a religious for 61 years and a priest for 52. He was born on November 15, 1929 in Śliwnicy near Przemysl, into a family of farmers: Stanislaus and Maria Mosurów. He completed his primary school near his birthplace and he then helped his parents on the farm. In 1947, he began the juniorate at the religious house of the Marians of the Praga district of Warsaw, during which he completed his secondary education. He completed his novitiate and made his first religious profession on June 29, 1950. After studying as a high school student in Bielany, in 1954 he began studying at the Seminary in Gietrzwałd, which he continued in Wloclawek beginning in 1956. He made his perpetual profession of vows on August 15, 1955, in the religious house in Skórzec and on June 21, 1959 he was ordained to the priesthood. After ordination, he worked in the religious house in Głuchołazy and he continued his education at the School of Franciscan Theology in Krakow. In the following years, he fulfilled his obligations as a priest and a religious in Skórzec, Krekolu k. Lidzbarka, Puszcza Mariańska, Lichen, Rdzawka and Grudziądz. Beginning in 1991, he served as a confessor at the Shrine in Licheń. He also helped at the local parish, carrying out, among other things, a ministry to the farmers and to the sick. Father Edward was a man of great simplicity and openness, kind in fraternal life. The last months of his life were marked by physical weaknesses. He died in Lichen on 16 April 2011. As an eighteen-year junior, he wrote his memories of the Marian Academy at the beginning of the academic year, where he described his feelings: "The Academy fills our hearts with divine enthusiasm, and outlines the future of our path, after which you get going to eternal happiness in heaven." Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him!
Father Archmandrite Roman Ryszard Piętka, MIC
(11.07.1937 - 03.26.2011)
Ryszard Piętka was born on Nov. 7, 1937, in Ostołęka near Warki, to the family of farmers Stanisława (née Łuszczak) and Stanisław Piętka. After completing his elementary schooling, he went to study at the Góra Kalwaria lyceum (the Polish equivalent of high-school). While there, he made his acquaintance with the Marians, which resulted in his religious vocation. In 1953, he started the novitiate at the religious house in Skórzec near Siedlce, which he completed by making his first religious vows on Aug. 15, 1954.
He started his seminary studies in Gietrzwałd in Warmia region, but he had to interrupt them because – according to the custom of the day – he had to serve at the Marian religious house and parish in Warsaw-Praga. In his early seminarian years, Ryszard met Fr. Tomasz Podziawa, MIC, a priest of Eastern Rite, who had just returned from Soviet prison camps and was teaching philosophy at the Marian Congregation’s College. Due to his influence, Ryszard began to study the Byzantine-Slavic Rite and get acquainted with the Greek Christian tradition. Ryszard spent the following years at the seminary in Włocławek. On Aug. 15, 1960, he made his perpetual vows and on June 21, 2964, he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Kazimierz Majdański.
Father Ryszard spent the first year as a priest in Skórzec, where he served as parish vicar and children’s catechist. Afterwards he was sent to study classical philosophy at the CUL in Lublin. It was the time after Vatican II, which marked the life of young Fr. Ryszard with a particular sensitivity towards ecumenism. During his stay at the Lublin University, Fr. Ryszard established contacts with Fr. Aleksander Pryłucki, the pastor of the only Poland’s neo-Uniat parish in Kostomłoty on Bug. In 1968, following the wish of Cardinal Maximilian Fürstenberg, the Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Eastern Churches, Ignacy Świrski, the Bishop of Siedlce, named Fr. Ryszard a vicar-cooperator of the Kostomłoty parish. According to the Eastern monastic tradition, Fr. Ryszard began to use the new religious name of Roman. In 1969, he became pastor of the Kostomłoty parish.
Father Roman worked tirelessly to promote the Byzantine Church tradition. The parish in Kostomłoty attracted many young people, whom the pastor provided with lodgings and illuminating teachings about the unity between Churches in the East and West. Following the beatification of the Martyrs of Pratulin, he transformed the Kostomłoty Orthodox church of St. Nikita into the place of devotion to them.
During the next years of his service in Kostomłoty, Fr. Roman worked out a Menologion – a list of the saints venerated by the Eastern Church (with their biographical notes and proper liturgical texts), which has become a pioneering publishing effort in Poland. He also translated into Polish various Latin-language writings, mainly those of Blessed Stanislaus Papczyński, Founder of the Marians. For many years, Fr. Roman taught Latin at the Marian novitiate in Skórzec and at our community’s seminary in Lublin.
In 1998, Fr. Roman’s long and fervent work at the new-Uniat parish, as well as his successful activity on behalf of developing the Greek-Catholic Rite there, was rewarded by the Apostolic See: He was made an Archmandrite (equivalent of an abbot in the Roman Rite). Also in the same year, Fr. Roman received a golden medal Merited for the Church and the Nation (Ecclesiae Populoque servitium praestanti) awarded to him by Cardinal Józef Glemp.
In 2007, as a result of health problems caused by a stroke, Fr. Roman resigned from the office of pastor in Kostomłoty, after which the religious authorities transferred him to Sts. Cyril and Methodius Marian House of Studies in Lublin. In his status of resident-emeritus, Fr. Roman continued his service as a teacher of Latin in the novitiate, translator from Latin and Old-Slavic languages, and as a confessor to Greek-Catholic seminarians studying in Lublin.
In 2008, Fr. Roman was diagnosed with cancer that gradually destroyed his health. Regardless of suffering, Fr. Roman strove to serve the Church as much as he could. Among other things, during this time he edited a reprint of the 18th-century book “Missja bialska XX. Bazylianów” [The Basilian Fathers’ Mission in Biała] written by Fr. Tymoteusz Szczurowski.
Father Roman passed away in the evening, at the St. John of Dukla Oncology Center of the Lublin Region. He was 74, a religious for 57 years and a priest for 47. Requiescat in pace!
Brother Antoni Romanowski, MIC
(06.13.1915 - 03.21.2011)
Brother Antoni Romanowski, son to Władysław and Stanisława Olewnicka, was born June 13, 1915, in the village of Słoszewo near Płońsk. He had three older siblings: brothers Zigmunt and Eugeniusz, and sister Irena. In 1929, Antoni completed his fifth grade in elementary school in the town of Smarzewo and started working at his parents’ farm. In 1938-39, he did his military service with the 11th Regiment of Lancers Legionnaires who were defeated by the occupying German forces. The Germans consequently sent the demilitarized soldiers to work in factories of the Easter Prussia region.
Brother Antoni joined the Congregation of Marian Fathers in 1946 in the town of Pyzdry, where he did his postulancy. He completed his novitiate in Skórzec and made his first profession of religious vows on December 8, 1947. His perpetual profession was made before Fr. Czesław Fajkowski on December 8, 1953.
Until 1984, Br. Antoni worked on the farm belonging to the religious house in Skórzec and was later transferred to serve at the Shrine of our Lady of Licheń. He resided and served there until his death, which was preceded by a long-term illness.
Father Jan Antoni Karbasz, MIC
(05.22.1922 - 12.23.2010)
Fr. Jan Karbasz was born on 22 May 1922 in Samborze, in what is now the Ukraine. After finishing primary school in 1935, he attended school in Raśnie, and then beginning in January 1936 in Bielany, Warsaw where in 1939 he graduated from the Marian school. He then entered the novitiate, and on August 15, 1940, he made his first vows. He was then sent to the religious house in the Praga district where he received the certificate of maturity in 1943. From 1942-1944, he completed two years of philosophy, and he made his perpetual vows in 1944. From 1944-1946, he completed two courses in theology. He completed the remaining two years of graduate theology at the Angelicum University in Rome, where he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Aloysius Traglii on February 21, 1948. After returning to his homeland, he served the early years of his priesthood. From 1948-49, he was an educator in the College of Bielany, and from 1949-1950, he was the prefect and a lecturer in Patrology at our Institute of Philosophy and Theology. Beginning in 1950, he was the main teacher, the Vice-Rector and then the Rector of the Minor Seminary while completing his education in the Patrology Section of the Theological Faculty at Warsaw University. From 1952-1954, he served as Prefect of Students, and faculty, and after earning a Masters Degree, he began working on his doctorate. After the deportation of our seminary from Bielany to Gietrzwałdu, from 1954-57, he lectured in patrology, moral theology and the history of philosophy.
In 1957, following the decrees of his superiors, he undertook pastoral work. Until 1963, he was pastor of the parishes in Kiwity-Stoczek-Krekole. From 1963 to 1969, he was the superior of the religious house in Warsaw at Marymont. From 1969 to 1981, he was the pastor of the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Warsaw, Prague. From 1981-83, he worked at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lichen as a preacher, confessor, a guide to the shrine and the chronicler. In 1983, he was sent to the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace, Stoczek Klasztorny as a retreat director. From 1984-87, he served as pastor and superior of the house in Goźlin, then as the custodian of the tomb of the Founder and Rector of the Church of the Last Supper in Gora Kalwaria. Beginning in 1993, he once again served as a confessor, preacher and historian at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lichen, where, in 1998, he celebrated the golden jubilee of his priesthood. He was a resident of Lichen until his death when he died at Noon on December 23, 2010. May he rest in eternal peace. Amen.
Father Stanislaus Szymanski, MIC
(11.12.1922 - 10.01.2010)
On, October 1, 2010, Father Stanislaus Szymanski died of a heart attack at about three o'clock in the morning at the monastery in Balsamão (Portugal). He was almost 88 years old, he had been in vows for 56 years and had celebrated his Golden Jubilee of the priesthood on June 11th. He was born in the village of Wrociszew, in the region of Warka, Mazovia to Wenceslas and Helen Tomasik Szymanski. He had six brothers and one sister. He grew up and studied in the primary school (1936) in Gora Kalwaria (Mount Calvary). Then, during the war, he studied at the College and Vocational High School in Warsaw. At that time, he belonged to an underground resistance movement and he distributed anti-Nazi pamphlets. In August 1944, he was arrested and deported to forced labor in Germany. In early 1945, he escaped from prison and returned to his parents. In his memoirs, he attributed his escape to the special protection of Blessed Father Stanislaus Papczyński, whose tomb he had visited often in Marianki (Gora Kalwaria). After the war, he studied at the University of the Merchant Marines, where in 1949 he graduated. He continued his studies at the Academy of Commerce in Poznan, where, in 1951, he obtained a master's degree in economics. He worked as an assistant at the Faculty of Maritime Commerce in Gdynia until 1953. For a time, he also helped as an assistant in "Caritas" in his parish. At that time, his decision to pursue a religious and priestly vocation matured.
At 31 years of age, he joined the Congregation of Marians. His first religious vows were pronounced on August 15, 1954 in Skórzec, and he made his perpetual vows four years later in Stoczek Warminski. He studied for the priesthood at the Major Seminary in Warsaw and later in Wloclawek where he was ordained a priest on June 11, 1960 at the hands of Bp. Antonio Pawlowski. After his ordination, he remained in Wloclawek, acting as chaplain and confessor to some religious sisters and an assistant formator for the Marian seminarians. He was then a formation assistant at the Marian House of Studies for the seminarians in Lublin. For one year (1963-1964), he was the treasurer of the Polish Province. He then became the Superior of the Religious House in Sulejowek and beginning in 1969, also the secretary of the Province. In early 1972, along with Fr. Casimir Komor, he went to Portugal. During most of his time there, he lived and worked in the monastery in Balsamão, where he arrived on February 2, 1972. He held various offices there: he was the prefect and a professor in the Minor Seminary; he offered pastoral assistance in the parishes in the neighboring region, he was a nurse for Fr. Ladilaus Mroczek and he was the master of novices. Among the novices there was also Father Freitas (+1990) who joined the Marians as an elderly, retired priest. He gave this testimony of his teacher: "My master was Father Stanislaus. He was unforgettable in every aspect: his virtue of simple, captivating happiness would be enough to ‘convert’ me into an expert Marian. (...) I learned much from his spirituality and I particularly admired his incredible youthfulness.”
For two years, from 1979-1981, he had to go to America to take care of his health. He then jokingly said, “I'm Polish by birth, Portuguese at heart and American by obedience.” There he began working on the translation into Portuguese of the Diary of Sister Faustina. His hard work was crowned with the first Portuguese edition of the Diary. In the period from 1987 to 1990, he was responsible for training the seminarians in the House of Studies in Lisbon. Then, after returning to Balsamão, he was the superior of the monastery from 1990-1993. He was also vice postulator of the process of the beatification of the Servant of God, Fr. Casimir Wyszynski. He was responsible for the Apostolate of Divine Mercy. Fr. Stanislaus was the spiritual director of the Families of Nazareth Movement, Portugal, and a pastor of parishes: Paradinha (1974-1993) and Chacim (1989-1990).
Despite his poor health - he survived two heart attacks, the third took him from this world - by the end of his life, he was willing to help in ministry, the sacraments, confessions, visiting the sick, guiding the pilgrims, writing the Chronicle of the religious house, accepting the intentions of the Mass, etc. .... he always wanted to be helpful.
Here are the words of the former Superior General, Fr Jan M. Rokosz contained in a letter sent to him for the celebration of his Golden Jubilee of priesthood last year (11/06/2010): "Today I thank the good Lord for the gift of the life of Reverend Father Stanislaus, for the gift of his priestly and religious vocation. I thank the Lord for the talents and abilities that You have given to him and for all of the good which has been accomplished through him. Thank You for having sent him to the Church and to our Congregation. I also thank Fr. Stanislaus for his generous response to God's call, with his admirable fidelity to his vocation, by devoting almost all of his priestly life and work to Portugal. Thank you for your cheerful presence in the monastery of Balsamão, for your zeal to guard and to protect the heritage of the Servant of God, Father Casimiro and for your daily witness to the pilgrims who come there - a testimony of courtesy, kindness and patience shown in administering the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. Thank you for the great concern for the problems of the Congregation and the care which can grow into a true religious spirit in Portugal and throughout the Congregation throughout the world. May the Merciful Lord, for every good work of his priestly heart and hands, offer to the Reverend Father an eternal reward.” (Letter dated 06.01.2010)
Here as well, as if it were a "testament", are his own words written in 2004 when he celebrated his Golden Jubilee of the Religious Life. He addressed it: “To my brother Marians.” This is for all of us, the Marians worldwide:
“The excessive preoccupation with material well-being and with the level of the works achieved may risk putting second things first, ahead of the issues of spirituality and the formation of the candidates, postulants, novices and the professed (...). I know it's not lamenting, not criticizing, it is that I want to show you the path to healing the situation. The humble recognition of our failures and mistakes, prayer, repentance, trust in the mercy of God, a filial surrender to the Immaculate Mother of God, but also a sober assessment of the current situation, determine the necessity of taking measures for renewal. (...). Take courage! We are the sons of Mary Immaculate! Victory belongs to Her Immaculate Heart” (Rev. Stanislaus Szymanski in a letter dated 07/06/2004).
“I am of Christ, I am happy, Lord, awaken new vocations for the Congregation of Marians and particularly for our community in Portugal.” - Thus he prayed on earth, and thus he prays now with the Father.
May he rest in eternal peace. Amen.
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Superior General and His Council
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