The spokesman for the Conventual Franciscan Province in Cracow, Poland, reports there is a new and interesting musical initiative in Poland.

The band “Jaspis” has produced a music album entitled “naRodziny” and released it to commercial music outlets. Proceeds from its sale will be used to purchase special rosaries containing second degree relics of the blessed Franciscan martyrs of Pariacoto, Peru (Friar Zbigniew STRZAŁKOWSKI and Friar Michał TOMASZEK). The rosaries will be given to prisoners who want to join the Rosary Crusade praying for protection against terrorism.
This initiative was blessed by the Most Reverend Marek JĘDRASZEWSKI, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cracow. He expressed his hope that “this action will generate great interest among a large group of recipients and will help achieve the goals that were set forth.”
“We join with the prisoners in praying for common sense and for the repentance of those who perpetrate acts of terror,” explained Friar Jan HRUSZOWIEC, the Province promotor for the cult of the Martyrs of Peru.
The cult of the Blessed Franciscan martyrs in Peru has developed in a very dynamic way. To date, since their beatification on December 5, 2015, more than 270,000 images have been distributed and over 47,000 rosaries with second-degree relics. The first degree relics are already installed in more than 234 churches, in Poland and abroad.
The Rosary Crusade for peace in the world and protection against terrorism, was initiated by the Minister Provincial, Friar Marian GOŁĄB, on May 5, 2016, during the Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Anthony and Blessed James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow).
On 30 July 2016, during the World Youth Day in Poland, Pope Francis made a private visit to the relics of Blessed Zbigniew and Michał. They are exhibited daily in the Chapel of Our Lord’s Passion in the Basilica of St. Francis in Cracow. The Holy Father paid tribute to our martyrs and prayed for the gift of peace in the world and an end to the scourge of terrorism.
For further information (in Polish) go to: www.krucjata.franciszkanie.pl

Editorial board/JMS