On Saturday, April 26, 2025, more than two thousand people gathered in Niepokalanów to participate in the eighth annual meeting of the “Margaretka” apostolate, an organization composed of faithful who pray for priests.
The event was made more special by the 107th anniversary of the priestly ordination, and first Mass, of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, the founder of the Niepokalanów Friary. The gathering began at 9:30 a.m. in the square behind the basilica at Niepokalanów, where those present had the opportunity to hear Father Cezary SIEMIŃSKI’s reflection, “Prayer Answered – A Priest’s Testimony of Healing from Illness.”
The focal point of the meeting was Mass at 11:00 a.m., presided over by Friar Piotr SZCZEPAŃSKI, the Guardian of the Niepokalanów Friary. Father Bogusław NAGEL, the National Director of the “Margaretka” apostolate, delivered the homily. Father Bogusław reminded those present that there are holy priests whose love for God and love for their homeland are merged together as one. An important task of priests is to form human consciences so that God may always be put first. The apostolate of lay faithful praying for priests not only supports priests, it is an expression of care and concern for the whole Church.
After Communion at the same Mass, the faithful recited the act of entrusting the “Margaretka” apostolate to the Blessed Virgin Mary. At that time, the community members and all present entrusted “their” priests to Mary’s protection. The gathering concluded in the afternoon with every one reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet in common. Afterwards, a priestly blessing was bestowed upon this fruitful gathering of faithful from all over Poland.
The “Margaretka” apostolate first began in Canada in 1981. The name of the apostolate refers to the symbol of the daisy, a flower with seven petals, each representing a person praying for a particular priest. This idea has spread throughout the world, showing how the lay faithful can support their pastors through daily prayer.
Friar Franciszek CZARNOWSKI
Photo: Friar Mieczysław WOJTAK
