March 24, 2018, marked the 350th anniversary of the arrival of the Franciscans in Kalwaria Pacławska, Poland. Also on that day, the mortal remains of the Venerable Servant of God, Friar Wenanty KATARZYNIEC, OFM Conv., (1889-1921) were newly recognized and translated into the church of the Mother of God of Calvary in Kalwaria Pacławska.
That morning, a Mass was celebrated to pray for the beatification of our confrere. The liturgy was presided over by Friar Marian GOŁĄB, OFM Conv., the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow). The concelebrants included the members of the recognition commission which was established by the Most Reverend Adam SZAL, Metropolitan Archbishop of Przemyśl, Poland. Novices, parishioners and pilgrims also participated.
In the evening, the commission members and friars from the friary and the novitiate took part in the solemn translation of the coffin into the church, where it was placed in a specially prepared sepulcher made of Carrara marble.
Friar Wenanty KATARZYNIEC died in the fame of sanctity on March 31, 1921, in Kalwaria Pacławska.
St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe had requested that he be beatified as early as 1930, in a circular letter which he sent from Japan.
On April 5, 2016, the Commission of Cardinals and Bishops issued a positive judgment on the life and virtues of the Servant of God. On April 26, 2016, Pope Francis gave permission for the Decree on the Heroicity of Virtue of the Servant of God to be published. Since then, Friar Wenanty has been rightfully called a Venerable Servant of God.
This year in Kalwaria Pacławska, April 7 and 8 will be special days dedicated to pray for Friar Wenanty’s beatification. The program includes Mass; the Stations of the Cross; a meditation by Friar Andrzej ZAJĄC on the theme “Some Time on the Thought and Lectures of Father Wenanty KATARZYNIEC”; a presentation of the book by Tomasz TERLIKOWSKI entitled “Wenanty KATARZYNIEC: A Polish St. Charbel”; and the blessing of the new sepulcher.
Editorial board/JMS
