On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the episcopal ordination of Friar Piotr KLESZCZ, OFM Conv., and Father Zbigniew WOŁKOWICZ, took place at the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Łódź, Poland. Both men were appointed auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Łódź.
Those attending the celebration included a dozen bishops, many priests, consecrated persons, family members, friends, and a very large number of faithful. Our Order was represented by the Vicar General Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI and the Minister Provincial of the Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland (Warsaw), Friar Piotr ŻURKIEWICZ. The ordination was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Grzegorz RYŚ, Archbishop of Łódź, assisted by the Most Reverend Władysław ZIÓŁEK, Archbishop Emeritus of Łódź, and the Most Reverend Wojciech OSIAL, Bishop of Łowicz, Poland.
In his homily, Cardinal RYŚ highlighted the Gospel’s call for everyone, especially the two newly appointed bishops, to fully submit their lives to the Holy Spirit. He pointed out that all rites associated with the sacrament of Holy Orders invoke the Holy Spirit; every gesture of this liturgy is a sign of His great action.
After the homily, the Rite of Ordination began and concluded with the reception of the episcopal insignia: the ring, the miter and the pastoral crosier.
At the end of the liturgy, the new bishops crossed the center of the basilica and imparted their first episcopal blessing to the assembled people. They also thanked Pope Francis for the grace of ordination, and thanked all the faithful for their presence and for praying with them.
The coat of arms of the new Conventual Franciscan bishop includes the letter Tau, with an image of Christ crucified, and the motto: Pax et bonum.
Editorial Staff
