On Staturday evening, after the visit to Helcel House, Superior General has moved to Vincentian House of St. Vincent de Paul at sw. Filipa Street, Kleparz district. This is one of most important Houses in the history of Polish Province, and third oldest, since erection, in the Province. In history, together with the church founded to provide spiritual care to vendors and buyers coming in to neighboring fare yard from villages near Krakow, it held different functions starting at mission house, chaplaincy and provincial administration to Internal Seminary, Minor and Major Seminary, high school and residence for senior confrères.
Fr. General arrived to Kleparz, the popular name used in the Congregation, at 6 p.m. Fr. Bogdan Zapotoczny CM, superior and Fr. Jan Telus CM, Assistant welcomed him dearly on the courtyard. Other confrères of the house joined them. Next, they all went to house oratory for evening Angelus prayer. it was ended by Superior General reciting the prayer for 350th anniversary of death of Holy Founders. From oratory they passed to refectory for supper. It was an opportunity for Superior and Visitor to introduce all confrères coming in. Common meal was good time for dialog.
After supper Fr. Bogdan, superior, presented rich history of the House and the church guiding Superior General around them. St. Vincent de Paul at Kleparz was established in the half of 19th in the time Daughters of Charity buildings were built. These premises neighbor each other. Kleparz in those days was an extensive fare yard and market place where peasants form village near Krakow arrived to sell their products. It was already a district of the town for half a century. Superiors in the Congregation decided ti establish church and community house next to fare yard to provide spiritual ministries as well retreats and popular missions to people arriving for trade purposes from villages. In 1863 the house was erected. Two years later, in 1865, Polish Province of the Congregation in Warsaw was suppressed by Russian administration. To secure continuity of the province, Superior General, Fr. Jean Baptiste Etienne CM erected new Province in Krakow in 1865 and Kleparz House was indicated as provincial residence. In 1912 provincial administration was transferred to Stradom House.
In history, Kleparz House held various functions in the Province. Besides provincial administration and mission house, where confrères preaching sermons, retreats and popular missions in the country resided it served as Internal Seminary, senior classes of high school were kept here, Minor Seminary and, especially during wars Major Seminary was moved here. Still there are some confrères who were ordained here. It was also a chaplaincy for Daughters of Charity, Helcel House, some city hospitals and hospital church of St. Lazarus where vast number of children delivered in nearby St. Louise hospital were baptized. During WWII students and confrères removed form Stradom House by Nazis found shelter here and again it served as Provincial House. After the war, political situation of the country changed. Vincentians were forced to abandon some of their ministries, other ones were reorganized. Nowadays it serves as residential community house for retired and elderly confrères. Some of them were teachers and educators in the Institute of Theology. Some still teach there. Other priests are chaplains in Narutowicz city hospital, Helcel House, University Hospital and St. Lazarus church. One confrere is a chaolain in the jail. Some of them still preach retreats and parish missions.
Next, all confrères went to St. Vincent de Paul Church. Fr. Greg was very interested in its history and devotion. He was pleased seeing the chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes arranged in the way Lourdes grotto looks like. The statue of Our Lady is the first such one brought to Poland in 1913 and this is one of the first places in Poland where cult and devotion of Lourdes apparitions were initiated. Fr. Greg was also told about Miraculous Shrine of Jesus in Agony from Sanctuary in Nowy Milatyn, Ukraine. The shrine was famous of some miracles. graces and healing which were granted due to its devotion. Originally, it was placed in Nowy Milatyn, a village some 25 miles from Lviv. Polish Vincentians were given the custody of the Sanctuary in 1909. In 1945, they were forced to move out from territories which were passed under Soviet administration. To secure the shrine from destruction, Vincentians took it with them. Since than the shrine is placed in the lateral altar in the church at Kleparz still holding great devotion. Finally, all confrères stood up for community picture.
From the church the Guest and priests moved to community room in the house for fraternal meeting and dialog. Present were most of the confrères residing here. Only those who were away for preaching retreats and held by their ministries were absent. Here in fraternal atmosphere they enjoyed the dialog. First Superior General told about his experience and reflections from visits to Provinces worldwide and his concerns about future of the Congregation. Part of his talk was dedicated to importance of Jubilee Year of 350th Anniversary. Next, he listened to confrères presenting their ministries. which as it was mentioned, are extensive and important because of their true Vincentian character and charism, as they are involved in the service to the poor, sick, prisoners, formation of the clergy, retreats and sermons, service to Daughters of Charity. It was a vivid discussion and dialog. Confrères asked Superior General questions on present situation of the Congregation, difficulties and challenges.
The meeting ended very late. After farewell, Superior General, Fr. Arkadiusz and Fr. Adam, who accompanied him returned to Stradom House for night. There is another important and eventful day for Fr. Greg coming in – the ceremony of receipt of cassocks by seminarians who completed their Internal Seminary. We are thankful to Fr. Bogdan Zapotoczny CM, superior and Fr. Andrzej Skrzyniowski CM, econome, for providing as the story and pictures.
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. There’s a map of places visited by Superior General in Poland, too. Czytaj także pozostałe informacje na temat wizyty Przełożonego Generalnego w Polsce w naszym serwisie. Najświeższe informacje możecie znaleźć w kanale CM_Polonia na Twitterze. Użytkownicy Facebook-a mogą śledzić wizytę na stronie Zgromadzenie Księży Misjonarzy. Polecamy także mapę z zaznaczonymi miejscami odwiedzanymi przez O. Generała.
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