Rite of Beatification for Fr. Jan Swierc and Companions

The Rite of Beatification for Fr. Jan Swierc and Companions

Photos: Karolina Krzyminska

(ANS – Krakow – June 8, 2026) – On Saturday, June 6, at the St. John Paul II Shrine in Krakow, 9 Polish Salesian martyrs were beatified: Frs. Jan Swierc, Ignacy Antonowicz, Ignacy Dobiasz, Karol Golda, Franciszek Harazim, Franciszek Miska, Ludwik Mroczek, Wlodzimierz Szembek, and Kazimierz Wojciechowski.

Greetings from the archbishop of Krakow

At the start of the beatification ceremony – presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, representing Pope Leo XIV – Cardinal Grzegorz Rys, archbishop of Krakow and host of the event, welcomed all those present, greeting the ecclesiastical, political, and Salesian representatives, and offering a special thought to the young people, whom he urged to befriend the youngest of the new blesseds: Fr. Karol Golda, who at the outbreak of World War II was a newly ordained priest and was arrested and killed at Auschwitz because he heard the confessions of German soldiers, including members of the concentration camp staff: “Dear young people, I trust that you, too, would like to love in this way and experience a love so intense that it transcends all boundaries, overcomes evil with good, and is unstoppable.”

The biographies of the Blesseds and the apostolic letter

Fr. Dariusz Bartocha, SDB, provincial of the Krakow Province, presented a brief biography of the priests. Card.  Semeraro then read the Pope’s apostolic letter, in which the Holy Father, in response to the request of the archbishop of Krakow, as well as other bishops and the faithful, granted the elevation to the honors of the altars of the Venerable Servants of God Jan Swierc and his 8 companions – “fervent proclaimers of the Gospel, who, out of love for their brothers, did not fear to bear witness to Christ the Lord even unto the shedding of their blood.” According to the document, they may henceforth be called blessed and venerated every year on May 23, in accordance with the procedures and in the places established by canon law. Following the reading of the letter, a long and thunderous round of applause rang out throughout the sanctuary.

The unveiling of the painting and the procession with the relics

Following the unveiling of the portrait of the blessed martyrs, created by the Salesian brothers Fr. Robert and Fr. Leszek Kruczek, the priests from the parish where the martyrs had been baptized and representatives of their families carried relics associated with the lives of the new blesseds during a solemn procession. During the procession, everyone sang the beatification hymn “Jak zloto w ogniu” (Like gold in the fire).

The Holy Father’s representative paid homage to the relics, after which the archbishop of Krakow and the postulator of the cause expressed their gratitude for the beatification.

Cardinal Semeraro’s homily

Card. Semeraro emphasized that the newly beatified join the “immense multitude” of martyrs and saints mentioned in the book of Revelation. He recalled St. John Paul II, St. Faustina Kowalska, and Venerable Jan Tyranowski. He also mentioned the parish of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Debniki, served by the Salesians, which played an important role in shaping Karol Wojtyla’s vocation.

“The martyrs whose beatification we celebrate today expressed to the very end, usque ad effusionem sanguinis, the preciousness of the Salesian charism. Jan Swierc and his companions were practical guides in the education of young people, caring for the poor and the suffering. Like St. John Bosco, they saw in every young person they met in the parish fields, in the courtyards of the oratories, or in the school classrooms, a beloved lamb, precious in the eyes of the Lord. And if Don Bosco used to say to young people: ‘I study for you, I work for you, I live for you, and I am even willing to give my life for you,’ they truly gave their lives as martyrs of Christ and of the Church: when anti-religious hatred, when violence and injustice, which raged in the last century, sought to scatter the flock, they did not flee,” said the cardinal.

Drawing on the witness of the martyrs, Card. Semeraro addressed a special message to the Salesians: “Today, in a certain sense, the legacy of these new Blesseds is placed in your hands: be shepherds of the flock with the same zeal that distinguished them,” and he also quoted the apostolic exhortation Dilexi te, in which Pope Leo speaks of “the great Salesian work, based on the three principles of the ‘preventive method’ – reason, religion, and charity” (no. 70).

Words from the Rector Major

Before the final blessing, Fr. Fabio Attard also offered a few words of thanks, emphasizing that the newly beatified, in a world full of violence and fear, had remained faithful to Christ and to their Salesian vocation. For this reason, he paid tribute to their perseverance and their witness to holiness. “May it inspire us today, young and old alike, to profess our faith and remain faithful to our vocation, in hope and joy,” he said.

The young people’s thanksgiving

Following the ceremony in Krakow, which concluded with a message from the president of Poland, a thanksgiving celebration organized by the young people was held in the evening in Oswiecim. This included a concert by Magda Aniol, a time of communal praise to God for the gift of beatification, and a joyful moment of fellowship among the participants. It was a time of gathering, prayer, and community-building in an atmosphere of gratitude for the new Salesian blesseds.

The full text, in Italian, of Card. Semeraro’s homily is available: Omelia_della_Beatificazione.docx

Nine Salesian Martyrs Beatified in Krakow

Nine Salesian Martyrs Beatified in Krakow
“A Light of Hope in the Darkness of War”

(ANS – Krakow – June 6, 2026) – Nine Polish Salesian priests, victims of Nazi persecution during World War II, were beatified this morning at the St. John Paul II Shrine in Kraków. Presiding at the Mass on behalf of the Holy Father, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, described them as “a true seed of peace and fraternity in an age so dark and violent.”

The new Blesseds – Fr. Jan Swierc and 8 companions – died between 1941 and 1942 as a result of torture, beatings, and extreme hardship suffered in the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Dachau. Following the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, persecution was unleashed with particular severity against the Catholic Church.

Card. Semeraro described that period as “a dramatic page in the nation’s history.” Yet, he emphasized, the celebration was not intended to commemorate the sorrow of those events, but rather to give glory to Christ, borne witness to by the 9 priests, “sons of St. John Bosco,” who “like Christ and with Christ gave their lives.”

Martyrs Known to the Young Karol Wojtyla

The beatification enriches the already numerous ranks of Polish saints and blesseds, among them St. John Paul II – archbishop of Krakow and later Supreme Pontiff – and St. Faustina Kowalska, who from Poland spread thruout the world the powerful message of Divine Mercy.

Card. Semeraro also recalled the Venerable Servant of God Jan Tyranowski, the spiritual mentor with whom the young Karol Wojtyla took an active part in the life of the nearby parish of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Debniki, entrusted to the Salesians. Several of the newly beatified priests carried out their pastoral ministry there. St. John Paul II himself wrote about them in his book Gift and Mystery.

Faithful to the Salesian Charism

In his homily, the cardinal highlighted the Salesian charism embodied by Fr. Swierc and his companions. Their vocation was expressed thru concrete dedication to the education of young people and care for the poor and the suffering. Like Don Bosco, they saw in every child “a beloved sheep, precious in the eyes of the Lord.”

In the face of anti-religious hatred, violence, and injustice that raged during the last century, the 9 Blesseds did not flee. Instead, they remained faithful to their calling until death, shedding their blood as a sign of peace.

An Appeal to the Young

The beatification, Card. Semeraro continued, represents a threefold invitation. 1st, it is addressed to young people, “the future of society and the living present of the Church,” in whom the Church places her trust.

In today’s world, he observed, freedom, happiness, and success are often detached from truth, responsibility, and sacrifice. The ideals offered may appear easy and immediate, promising much yet leaving the heart empty. Christ, by contrast, makes life “beautiful and great,” bringing to fulfilment humanity’s deepest desires.

He therefore urged young people to open their hearts to Christ, especially in moments of uncertainty, confusion, and loneliness. “The Lord does not call us to renounce our dreams,” he said, “but to purify and enlighten them,” so that life may become full, authentic and capable of self-giving.

Encouragement for Salesians and the Faithful

The 2nd invitation was directed to the Salesians of Don Bosco. Card. Semeraro expressed the hope that the legacy of the new Blesseds would enable every priest to respond generously to the voice of the Good Shepherd. Quoting St. John Paul II, he exhorted them: “Do not be afraid. Do not let yourselves be frightened by the vertigo of a holy priestly life.”

The 3rd and final appeal was addressed to all the faithful. In an age marked by “digital loneliness,” where virtuality can create the illusion of genuine relationships thru ever more sophisticated means, holiness consists above all in listening to God’s will without yielding to weariness or discouragement. What is required, he said, is to learn anew to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd, in order to belong to him more fully and to make courageous choices as true disciples of Christ and his Cross.

A Sign of Peace Amid Today’s Wars

In conclusion, Card. Semeraro turned his gaze to the present historical moment, “once again marked by the sadness and cruelty of war.” In this difficult context, the 9 Salesian martyrs beatified today bear witness to “the gift of peace,” reminding the world that even in the darkness of history there are always those capable of bringing “a light of hope, love, and fraternity.”

Diocesan Phase of Fr. Braga's Cause Concludes

Diocesan Phase of Fr. Charles Braga’s Cause for Beatification Concludes

(ANS - San Fernando, Philippines – June 3, 2026) – On  June 1, the archdiocese of San Fernando celebrated the closing session of the diocesan inquiry into the cause for beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Fr. Charles Braga (1889–1971), a Salesian missionary who dedicated his life to evangelization and the education of young people in China and the Philippines.

The ceremony took place in the chapel of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, located within the complex of the archdiocesan chancery of San Fernando. Abp. Florentino G. Lavarias of San Fernando presided. The event was attended by priests, men and women religious, members of the Salesian Family, and numerous faithful, gathered to give thanks to God for the Servant of God’s witness to holiness.

During the session, the diocesan tribunal officially presented the acts of the inquiry, containing the testimonies, documentation, and evidence gathered on the life, heroic virtues, reputation for holiness, and signs of Fr. Braga. Following the declaration of authenticity of the acts and the prescribed oath by the officials of the cause, Abp. Lavarias formally declared the diocesan inquiry concluded.

Also present was Fr. Ronilo Javines, SDB, Salesian provincial of Philippines North, together with representatives of the various groups of the Salesian Family, who wished to share this significant moment for the Congregation and for the Church in the Philippines.

The postulation was represented by Fr. Gabriel Cruz, collaborator of the postulator general, Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, SDB, who coordinated the final preparations for the concluding session. With him was Matteo Penati, who oversaw the organizational and documentary aspects of the cause.

The ceremony concluded with the sealing of the documents and their preparation for transmission to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, where the examination of the cause will continue. With this important step, the Church entrusts to the Holy See the evaluation of the spiritual legacy of Fr. Charles Braga, whose life continues to inspire the Salesian Family and all those dedicated to the service of young people, especially the poorest and neediest.

Fr. Braga with a Chinese boys band

Homily for Solemnity of Corpus Christi

Homily for the Solemnity of
Corpus Christi

June 7, 2026
John 6: 51-58
Deut 8: 2-3, 14-16
Villa Maria, Bronx
Our Lady of the Assumption, Bronx
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx

“Jesus said, ‘I am the living bread that came down from heaven’” (John 6: 51).

Jesus has been speaking at length to the people who’ve looked for him after he multiplied bread and fish to feed thousands of men and women.  They chased him down from across the Sea of Galilee to the synagog in Capernaum.

He speaks 1st of the nourishing power of his teaching (6:26-50).  Then he speaks of a more wonderful food, the “true food” and “true drink” of his own body and blood (6:55).

In their dialog with Jesus, the people had referred to the manna that God had provided for their ancestors when they wandered as nomads in the Sinai desert for 40 years.  When the Hebrews saw the manna for the 1st time, the book of Exodus tells us, they “asked one another, ‘What is this?’ for they didn’t know what it was” (16:15).  The manna appeared each morning, “fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground,” according to Exodus (16:14).  It’s further described as “like coriander seed, but white, and it tasted like wafers made with honey” (16:31).  And “Moses told them, ‘This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat’” (16:15).

The Hebrews gathering manna
(anon. painting, ca. 1460)

However tasty and nutritional, that manna wasn’t a live thing.  It sustained life for the day, and God provided it for years in the desert.  But, Jesus cautions his audience in the synagog, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life” (6:27).  He points out, “your ancestors ate and still died” (John 6:58) during all those years.

They died because the manna was temporary and because, St. Paul reminded the Christians at Corinth, they ate without faith in God or in Moses (I, 10:1-11); they were constantly complaining and rebelling.  “Most of them failed to please God and their corpses littered the desert,” Paul writes (10:5).  The Letter of St. Jude warns, “I wish to remind you … that the Lord who once saved a people from the land of Egypt later destroyed those who did not believe” (v. 5)

Jesus offers living bread—living because it is “my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51).  Jesus is alive, his flesh and blood are alive, and they fill with his life “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood” (6:54), even unto eternal life, the life that Risen Jesus enjoys in heaven.

That’s why the Church celebrates the Eucharist every day and requires our participation in the Eucharist at least every Sunday, the day of the Lord’s resurrection.  That’s why we have this one extra-special celebration of the Lord’s body and blood, the feast of Corpus Christi.  Jesus wants us to have life for eternity, as he does, and in this sacrament he offers that to us:  truly not bread and wine but his living body and blood under the outward appearance of bread and wine, just as he said to the apostles at the Last Supper, “This is my body for you.  Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor 11:24).

New Salesian School in Ukraine

The New Salesian School in Ukraine
An investment in the future of hundreds of young people

Photo: SDB Zhytomyr Archive

(ANS – Zhytomyr, Ukraine – June 3, 2026) – Fr. Michal Wocial, SDB, director of the house in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, recently announced important news regarding the construction of the new Salesian Wsesvit school in the city. The project is not merely the construction of a building; it is an investment in the future of hundreds of young people. The aim is to create a safe educational, spiritual, and sporting environment where around 600 youngsters can learn, grow, pray, discover their talents, and build their future despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

All the project documentation has now been finalized. This is a major milestone and a significant step forward, allowing us to move on to the next phase of the project: seeking funding and partners for the future construction. The local Salesians extend their heartfelt thanks for the trust, support, and prayers for the Salesian mission in Ukraine, and will provide updates on further developments in this project and its subsequent stages.

Homily for Thursday, Week 9 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Thursday
Week 9 of Ordinary Time

June 4, 2026
2 Tim 2: 8-15
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Paul writes to his disciple Timothy as a prisoner, chained like a criminal for preaching the Gospel.  Altho he’s suffering, he has every confidence that God’s Word can’t be restrained—neither the Word that is Jesus Christ, nor the word of Jesus’ message of salvation.

As that confidence sustained Paul and was intended to sustain other believers in times of trial, so it sustains the multitudes of Jesus’ disciples who are persecuted today for the sake of the Gospel.

In yesterday’s Office of Readings for the martyrs of Uganda, we read from St. Paul VI’s homily for their canonization.  The Pope observed that in our era we never expected to repeat the glorious record of martyrdom that the Church in Africa experienced in its earliest years (LOH 3:1453).  But harassment, prison, and bloody death continue still to be the price of following Jesus in dozens of places, e.g., India, China, Muslim societies, Burma, and even the supposedly enlightened West.

We can’t forget our brothers and sisters, chained figuratively or even literally, for adhering to the Word of God.  We pray for them and for their persecutors.

China Province Celebrates 100 Years

China Province Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Its Establishment

Fr. Domingos Leong, center, with Fr. Will Matthews to his left.
At the far left is Card. Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong.

(ANS – Hong Kong – June 1, 2026) – On May 30, Salesians and their lay mission partners gathered at the Salesian Missionary House in Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong, filled with gratitude and joy, to celebrate the momentous occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Province.

The celebration commenced with an address by Fr. William Matthews, the regional councilor for East Asia-Oceania. Fr. William extended his warmest congratulations to the China Province on its centennial and encouraged members of the Salesian Family to maintain their vitality and zeal on the path of evangelization. He highlighted Don Bosco’s  “Dream at nine years of age,” recounting how Jesus personally instructed young John in the dream to use “obedience and study” to make the seemingly impossible mission possible. Thru this, Fr. William exhorted everyone always to listen to Jesus’ teachings and uphold these 2 virtues when facing the challenges of the new era, thereby laying a solid spiritual foundation for youth ministry.

Fr. Domingos Leong, provincial, led the 1hthroust thematic sharing session, entitled “A Century of Evangelization, an Unchanging Charism.” Fr. Domingos guided the assembly thru a retrospective look at the 100-year history of the Chinese Province, paying special tribute to Salesian pioneers such as Fr. Godfrey Roozen and Fr. Bernard Tohill, among others.

Fr. Domingos recounted how these predecessors remained steadfast at their posts during the difficult years of war. For the salvation of young souls, they courageously negotiated with various military officers to provide sanctuary and a loving home for helpless and abandoned youth amid the turmoil. Concluding his sharing, he specially cited Article 14 of the Salesian Constitutions, inspiring all participants to emulate Don Bosco’s spirit of “Da mihi animas, caetera tolle” and unconditionally dedicate their lives to the salvation of the young.

Following a short recess, Fr. Antonio Leung, vice provincial, led the 2d thematic sharing session. Fr. Antonio provided an insightful explanation of the Rector Major’s 2026 Strenna.

The pinnacle of the festivities was the Eucharistic celebration. In his homily, Fr. William drew a profound parallel between the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah and St. John Bosco: God once said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” In the same way, God had already chosen and consecrated Don Bosco before he was born, appointing him as a prophet to the young. Although both initially hesitated due to their youth and perceived inadequacy, God gave them an absolute promise, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary as their guide and support.

Fr. William used this to encourage the assembly, referencing the deep symbolism in the cover image of the Rector Major’s strenna. In that sacred image, a servant stands pouring wine from a large jar, flanked by Jesus and Mary; that servant in the middle is St. John Bosco. As children and collaborators of Don Bosco, we too are “servants of joy.” Fr. William called upon everyone to follow closely in Don Bosco’s footsteps as the China Province steps into its next century, willingly serving as assistants to Jesus and Mary to bring the joy of the Gospel to the world, especially to poor and abandoned youth.

Following Mass, the celebration concluded with a luncheon filled with the warmth of the Salesian family spirit. All participants returned to their respective ministries carrying the graces and mission of this centenary, ready to continue burning with the love of the Lord.

Homily for Tuesday, Week 9 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Tuesday
Week 9 of Ordinary Time

June 2, 2026
Mark 12: 13-17
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Tribute to Caesar (Gustave Dore')

Don Bosco used to say that his purpose in education was to train the young to become good Christians and upright citizens.  That’s a variation on Jesus’ teaching today, give to Caesar what belongs to him and to God what’s due to him.  Assuredly, during our days as teachers and administrators, as educators, we tried to do that.

And now?  What do we render to Caesar?  We qualify as taxpayers only incidentally with sales taxes and excise taxes.  Otherwise, we have our civic responsibilities to be informed about matters of the common good—public and social policies, perhaps to weigh in on them at public forums, to contact public officials, write letters to the editor, discuss issues with people—and, not least, to vote.  We must pray, too, for people who are suffering, people in need—and for those who govern us, that they seek truth and justice and be wise servants of the common good.

And rendering to God?  We’ve made it our life’s work.  We have only to fulfill our obligations to worship the Lord, to give life to Jesus’ Church, to serve our Congregation, to love our brothers and sisters.  When Jesus asks, “Whose image is this?” (Mark 12:16), we’re to understand that he refers not merely to a denarius but even to every human being; everyone is made in the divine image.  We owe them the honor and respect due to those who belong to God.

Fr. Kazimierz Wojciechowski, Polish Salesian Martyr

Fr. Kazimierz Wojciechowski, Polish Salesian Martyr

(ANS – Krakow – June 1, 2026) – Kazimierz Wojciechowski was the son of Andrzej and Maria Wojciechowski. He was born on August 16, 1904, in Jaslo. His father was a railway worker, and his mother worked on the farm. At the age of 5, Kazimierz lost his father. From that moment, the entire burden of providing for and raising 3 small children fell upon his mother, a woman of deep piety and great self-sacrifice. With the help of kind people, his mother arranged for her son Kazimierz to be admitted to the Salesian school named after the Lubomirski family in Krakow. He was 8 years old. He was a very lively, cheerful boy, always content. In 1916, Kazimierz was admitted to the institute of Don Bosco in Oswiecim. The Salesian life, full of joy and activity, suited his lively temperament. He loved games and recreation and willingly took an active part in them. He studied well. He also showed interest in the orchestra.

Salesian Path

After completing the 4th year of secondary school, he submitted an application for the novitiate in Klecza Dolna. Upon entering the novitiate in 1920, he earnestly set about refining his character, mindful of his mother’s wish that he become a good and holy priest—a Salesian.

On October 2, 1921, he completed the novitiate and made his first religious vows. He made his perpetual vows on May 2, 1928, in Oswiecim.

From Klecza Dolna, he went to the philosophy studentate in Krakow, the so-called “Losiowka.” There he obtained his secondary school diploma and completed his studies with good results.

He was sent for practical practical training to the minor seminary in Lad on the Warta River. There he taught mathematics and assisted the boys, being the driving spirit of recreation and all kinds of activities. One of his pupils recalled: “I remember the Wednesday walks, when everyone had such a good time. There were soccer games, ‘carabinieri’ games, and various pursuits.”

He also taught singing and music. In this field too, he showed great creativity, inspiring the students and teaching them to play instruments in an accessible way. One of the orchestra members in Lad recalled: “Fr. Wojciechowski knew how to encourage us to play, whether by giving sweets or by showing a new instrument acquired for our group. Sometimes, when one of us was missing, he would take an instrument himself and play the missing part…. He also organized a fine choir.”

In 1924–1925, he taught music and mathematics in Lad. Later, he worked as a teacher of music and singing in Salesian schools in Antoniewo, Warsaw, Aleksandrow Kujawski, and Oswiecim. He knew how to create a joyful atmosphere, characteristic of Salesian houses, through his love of music, sports, and his lively manner with the young, although, given his energetic and impulsive temperament, this did not always come easily to him.

In 1930, he came to Krakow for theological studies. There too, he formed a choir among his fellow students, which enriched various celebrations.

He also worked in the oratory at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish. The sports club he organized there, involving the oratory youths, was one of the most dynamic in Krakow.

On May 19, 1935, he received priestly ordination in Krakow from Bishop Stanislaw Rospond, a great friend of Don Bosco’s works in Poland.

After the joyful days of his first Mass celebrations, he went as a teacher to the minor seminary in Daszawa. After a year, he returned to Krakow as a teacher of religion in the Debniki primary schools, as well as director of the oratory and of the Catholic youth associations. The school authorities described his work as follows: “Fr. Wojciechowski teaches religion in our school. He knows how to interest and enliven the youths during lessons. Everywhere he brings sincere joy…. He is also involved with the youths outside of school…. He is liked by them and holds their respect.”

During the September 1939 military operations, he remained in Krakow and hastened to help refugees. When the German authorities in the so-called General Government reopened primary schools in November of that year, Fr. Kazimierz returned to his beloved work in education.

Arrest

May 1941 arrived. On the eve of the feast of Mary Help of Christians—May 23, in the evening hours—he was arrested by the Gestapo together with other confreres and imprisoned in the Montelupich prison in Krakow.

As the reason for the arrest, the officer conducting the operation stated that Fr. Kazimierz was working to maintain the spirit of Polish identity among the youths. After a month in the Krakow prison, he was transported with on June 26 others to the concentration camp in Auschwitz.

Martyrdom

June 27, 1941, proved tragic for the Salesians of Krakow. 12 of them were working in the penal company, among them Fr. Wojciechowski, whose strong physical build drew the attention of the persecutors. He was subjected to inhuman abuse, beaten, and kicked. With one blow of a shovel handle, the kapo knocked out his teeth, and with a whip he cut open the skin on his head. With the last of his strength, he continued to work, constantly driven on.

That day, 2 Salesians—Fr. Jan Swierc and Ignacy Dobiasz—had already been murdered and taken to the crematorium. In the afternoon, it was time for more victims. After a meal that none of those in the penal company could swallow, the same exhausting labor resumed, along with further harassment. After some time, greatly suffering, Fr. Kazimierz asked the block leader for lighter work.

“Yes, you will get it at once—just take this wheelbarrow to the pit, on the run!” he said, striking him several times on the back with a stick, shouting: “You lazy cheat, you don’t want to work!”

He then pushed Fr. Kazimierz into the deep pit together with the wheelbarrow. Soon, laughter and mockery could be heard from the SS man at the sight of the unfortunate man trying to climb out.

Suddenly, the order was given: “Lie down next to that lazy one!” Fr. Wojciechowski looked in the indicated direction and saw Fr. Franciszek Harazim lying on his back, whom the bloodthirsty kapo had long been tormenting.

It was approaching 2:00 p.m. The day was hot. Fever and thirst tormented the poor prisoners. Finally, the kapo and the block leader threw down a heavy beam and placed it on the necks of the dying priests, mocking them: “So, you know how to deceive people. You don’t want to work. You say there is a God. Show Him to me—I want to see Him! I am your god now! I am the master of your lives!”

For a while longer, this mockery of the poor victims continued. Then the kapo and the block leader stood on the beam placed on their necks and with their weight completed the bloody act.

A short rattling breath, foam at the mouth, swelling of the face, mortal convulsions, some indistinct words—and the two martyrs, Fr. Wojciechowski and Fr. Harazim, ended their earthly journey, ended the agony of the camp. Their bodies were thrown onto wheelbarrows and taken to the pile of corpses beside the crematorium.

Fr. Kazimierz Wojciechowski was murdered on June 27, 1941, at the so-called gravel pit, at the age of 37, in the 20th year of his religious vows and the 6th year of his priesthood. He bore the camp number 17342.

On Fr. Wojciechowski’s beatification process, see the entry for Fr. Karol Golda below, May 14.

Message of the Rector Major for June

THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR

Fr. Fabio Attard, SDB

Are We Also Among the 72?

Christ sends out the 72
(James Tissot)

We, too, are sent. Our workplaces, neighborhoods, families, and friendships are the “towns and places” where Christ intends to come, and he sends us there ahead of him to prepare the way.

In the Gospel of Luke, at the beginning of Chapter 10 (verses 1–19), Jesus extends his mission beyond the Twelve, sending 72 disciples ahead of him to prepare the way. It’s a decisive moment: the mission is no longer reserved for a small apostolic circle but extends to a wider group of ordinary followers. The implication is clear: every disciple is a missionary, sent into his or her own particular corner of the world to make Christ present.

For Christians today—whether we work in offices or hospitals, raise children at home or serve in schools, run businesses or care for the elderly—this passage speaks directly to our baptismal vocation. We, too, are sent. Our workplaces, neighborhoods, families, and friendships are the “towns and places” where Christ intends to come, and he sends us there ahead of him to prepare the way.

The instructions Jesus gives are not solely for religious “professionals,” but for all who bear his name. They are instructions that reveal what Christian witness should look like in any context: traveling light, bringing peace, healing the wounded, and proclaiming the closeness of the Kingdom through the concrete reality of our own lives.

In a culture that often relegates faith to a private conviction or a Sunday service, Luke 10 reclaims the entirety of life as missionary territory. These three reflections explore how Jesus’ words to the 72 shed light on what it means to live as disciples sent into the ordinary circumstances of daily life.

1. Traveling Light: Freedom from the Burden of Self-Sufficiency

“Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals.” Jesus sends out disciples who are deliberately vulnerable, radically dependent on God and on the hospitality of others. His instruction challenges the fundamental assumptions of contemporary life: that security derives from the accumulation of things, that worth comes from self-sufficiency, and that we must always keep everything under our control.

For Christians navigating ordinary life—careers, family responsibilities, economic pressures—this call to evangelical poverty doesn’t mean abandoning prudent planning or responsible stewardship. Rather, it poses a deeper spiritual question: On what do we truly rely?

We live in a culture that teaches us to place our trust in our own ability to handle every eventuality. We accumulate certifications, credentials, and contacts—building ever-larger “purses.” And we exhaust ourselves trying to maintain the illusion of self-sufficiency.

Jesus’ instruction liberates us from this burden. Traveling light means acknowledging our fundamental dependence on God’s providence, on the community of believers, and on the grace we can’t manufacture ourselves. It means being willing to admit when we don’t have the answer, when we’re in need of help, and when our carefully laid plans fall apart—trusting that God will provide another way.

In practical terms: it means admitting that we’re not perfect, and that maintaining a perfect image ultimately enslaves us; being honest with our children about our struggles; and choosing simplicity over accumulation, presence over productivity, and trust over anxiety.

We’re not called to be Christians who appear to have everything figured out. We’re invited to discover that Christ is sufficient, that his grace is truly enough, and that dependence on God is pure freedom.

2. Before All Else, Peace: Presence in a Fragmented World

“Into whatever house you enter, first say: ‘Peace be to this house.’” Before any activity or productivity, let there be—first of all—peace. We live fragmented lives: juggling a thousand things at once, only half-present in our conversations. Jesus sends us forth to bring peace. Mind you: this is not the superficial peace born of the illusion that we have everything under control but is, rather, true, profound peace—the kind that comes from knowing we’re sustained by God, even amid chaos.

This peace serves as a countercultural witness. It’s evident when our colleagues are stressed yet we remain steadfast—not through denial, but through trust. It’s evident when our neighborhoods are gripped by anxiety yet we offer a calm presence—not through naiveté, but through hope.

Consider the everyday “houses” you enter: your workplace, your own home, the gym, your children’s school, your neighborhood. Bringing peace might mean: refraining from workplace gossip and instead speaking with respect; cultivating an atmosphere in our home where people can breathe freely and where there’s room for silence; or being the neighbor who listens without judgment.

This peace becomes particularly powerful and meaningful when shared with those who are struggling. How many people carry invisible burdens—battles with mental health, financial anxiety, relational crises, or existential despair? They don’t need answers. They need someone who can stand with them in their pain without being destabilized—someone who radiates a peace that suggests solid ground beneath the chaos.

Our Christian witness is primarily about who we are: people who have found a peace that the world can neither give nor take away.

3. Healing and Proclamation: Making the Kingdom Visible

“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you.’” Word and deed are inseparable. This means recognizing the wounds around us and responding with concrete acts of empathy. It means acknowledging the sense of emptiness and meaninglessness that some bear, the ruthless competition, or the burnout experienced by others—offering them the gift of a presence that knows how to listen without judgment. It means standing close to those who feel isolated—especially the elderly—through small, simple gestures that nevertheless leave an imprint on a suffering heart.

The Kingdom draws near when people can say: “I encountered something different here. I was welcomed, valued, and restored.”

This is how the early Church grew—not primarily through eloquent sermons, but through communities that lived so differently that people were compelled to ask: “What do you have that we don’t? Why do you love in this way? Where does this hope come from?”

Our lives become the proclamation. And when people ask, we’re ready to name the Source: “The Kingdom of God has come near you. The love you have experienced doesn’t come solely from us; it comes from Christ, who has made all things new and who invites you into this new reality.”

Homily for Trinity Sunday

Homily for Trinity Sunday

May 31, 2026
Collect
John 3: 16-18
Villa Maria, Bronx
Our Lady of the Assumption, Bronx
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx

The Trinity with the Saints
(from the Breviary of Mattia Corvino)

In the course of salvation history, God made himself known gradually, revealing himself to Abraham, Moses—e.g., as we heard in the 1st reading (Ex 34:4-9)—and the prophets.  He revealed himself most fully “by sending into the world the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification” (Collect).

Not that we can comprehend God’s essence, the full mystery of his being.  But in the Word made flesh, the Son given to us, we begin to understand that God loves us, is close to us, and wills to draw us ever closer to himself.  “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16), and he did that entirely out of love, a love that we sinners in no way deserve.  That’s truth in the flesh, Jesus Christ, the truth that God loves us.

The Father and the Son send us the Spirit of sanctification.  “Send” is in the present tense because they do so continually, moment by moment joining us to themselves, “the source of all holiness” (EP II) so long as we keep our hearts open to them.  The Spirit wondrously transforms us from sinners into saints, friends of God who are worthy to enter his presence, destined to “acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory” (Collect), sharing in that glory by “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God [the Father] and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” (2 Cor 13:13).