Vincentian Priests and Brothers

Sunday, November 1, Solemnity of All Saints was the second day of Superior’s General, Fr. Gregory Gay CM visit in Poland. Visit to cemetery was very important event in the agenda. According to Polish tradition people visit cemeteries and graves fo their relatives and friends, decorated with beautiful flowers and lots of candle lights. Fr. Greg accompanied by the Visitor, Provincial Secretary and Provincial Econome went to Rakowice Cemetery in Krakow, one of the oldest necropolises in Poland, and visited the tombs of Vincentians and Daughters of Charity there which are located in the oldest part of the necropoly. (See their pictures).

From Rakowice Cemetery they traveled to Vincentian Formation Center VINCENTINUM in Krzeszowice (25 miles West from Kraków).There, he met with all confrères. Superior General had a tour around the compound made of recently renewed and enlarged house (in 2007), historical chapel of St. Stanislaus, the Bishop, and well maintained garden and orchard. Fr. Jan Dukala CM presented history of the house and the center well displayed on illustrated boards in the hall and conference room. Superior, Fr. Jacek Lason CM guided Fr. General around rest of the house including large house chapel and the historical chapel in the garden. Finally confreres and the guests had a community meeting and Fr. Greg visited the parish cemetery, praying at the Vincentians’ tomb there.

Vincentian house in Krzeszowice was founded in 1894 as a retreat and recreation residence. For years it served as infirmary and house for elderly confrères and in some periods Internal Seminary was located here. In the beginning of 21th century an extensive reconstruction and enlargement was undertaken in the house. In 2007 the new center was opened and serves as retreat and conference center as well as for recreation purposes for various groups.

From VINCENTINUM the honorable guest moved to nearby community house of Daughters of Charity. They run a kindergarten and small orphanage here. Superioress, Sr. Barbara Gołąb DC welcomed him at the doorstep. Next Superior General watched a show performed by JMV group lead by Sisters. He enjoyed this visit and meeting with children very, very much not hiding his emotions.

Final stage of Sunday journey was again in Kraków. In the evening Superior General arrived to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in so called Nowa Wies district of the city to meet and share with confreres from this community. The grounds of present church and rectory and the vicinity were bought by the Congregation of the Mission in late 17th century as a beneficiary to provide maintenance of Stradom House.  At the  end of 19th century part of these grounds was assigned to provide funds for then Provincial House at Kleparz. In 1894 Minor Seminary and Internal Seminary were moved to newly built residence and church here from Kleparz and in 1895 the canonical house was erected. In 1921 it became a parish, first one dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes in Poland. Among other ministries confrères created extensive and highly recognized academic ministry for couple thousands of students from academic campus dormitories located nearby in 1950s. In 1990s the parish was split and northern part of it became a parish of bl. Aniela Salawa. Vincentians work in that parish too, which in 1996 became separate canonical house. Confreres from Aniela Salawa parish were present in the meeting with Superior General too.

First Fr. General and accompanying him the Visitor and the Provincial Secretary as translator had an evening meal with other confreres in the house. When the evening Mass finished, pastor and superior, Fr. Pawel Holc CM showed Fr. Greg around the church, rectory and parish hall. They visited “NA MIASTECZKU” academic pastoral center too. Then he visited the oldest confrere in the house - Fr. Zygmunt Czekanski CM, who is ill and could attend the community meeting.

Then, confrères from both houses gathered in the community room to meet, share and talk time with the Superior General. Fr. Pawel Holc gave Fr. Greg an illustrated booklet about history of the parish and memorial medal to commemorate 150 anniversary of apparitions in Lourdes. He introduced all his confrères to Fr. General and Fr. Jozef Kapias CM, superior of the community at bl. Anielawa Salawa parish, did the same to his confrères.

Superior General talked about situation of the Congregation in the world emphasizing some important issues of the ministry and development. He also explained some goals of recently inaugurated Year of 350 Anniversary of death of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. In following discussion all attendants talked about many important problems facing the Congregaation, including “demographic situation” in the worldwide community - shortening number of vocations in Europe and North America and abundant development in South Asia and South America. Fr. General was very interested in reasons and consequences of secularization processes in Poland and perspectives for ministry among youth. Confrères emphasized necessity to root  young people in  history and  traditions of the country. Almost two hours long meeting was finished in the church, where all its attendants posed for family picture.

International viewers can visit our English site to read stories from Superior’s General visit to Poland or follow us on Twitter. Facebook users can visit our page there. Czytaj także pozostałe informacje na temat wizyty Przełożonego Generalnego w Polsce w naszym serwisie. Najświeższe informacje możecie znaleźć w kanale CM_Polonia na Twitterze. Uzytkownicy Facebook-a mogą śledzić wizytę na stronie Zgromadzenie Księży Misjonarzy.

Tags: C.M., D.C., Krakow, Poland, Superior General