In his three volume book “The Life of the Venerable Servant of God Vincent de Paul, Founder and First Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission” Louis Abelly, Bishop of Rodez quotes his story of what happened in Folleville: “Monsieur Vincent said: It was January 1617, when all this happened, on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, the twenty-fifth of the month. This lady asked me to preach in the church of Folleville to persuade the local people to make a general confession. I did this, pointing out the importance and usefulness of this practice. I showed them how to do so worthily. God had such regard for the confidence and faith of this good lady (for the great number and enormity of my sins stood in the way of my effecting any fruit) that he blessed this sermon. All those present were moved by God, and came to make their general confession. I continued my instruction, disposing them to receive the sacrament well, and then began to hear their confessions. Even with the help of another priest who was with me, however, the press of those waiting to receive the sacrament was too great. Madame sent to request the Jesuit Fathers of Amiens to come help us. She wrote to the rector, who came himself, but not having enough time available he sent another Jesuit, Father Fourche, to help us in hearing confessions, preaching and catechizing. By the grace of God, these occupations kept us busy.
We next went to other villages in the vicinity which also belonged to Madame, to do the same as we had done in the first. We had large crowds, and God gave us his full blessing. This is how the first mission was accomplished. That it took place on the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul was due solely to God’s design.” Read the whole chapter eight of book one

These two slideshows based on Theodore Maynard’s book “Apostle of charity:the life of St. Vincent de Paul” present the primary goals of the Congregation of Mission. Slideshows  are available in Polish, too. Find more documents on the origins and spirituality of the Vincentian Family at  Vinformation.famvin.org website.

“This mission in Folleville was the first given by Monsieur Vincent and has always been considered as the seed for all the others to follow. Every year, on the twenty-fifth of January, he and his Congregation thanked God for all the graces given in his infinite bounty to this first preaching. He always wanted this feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul to be regarded as the founding date of the Congregation of the Mission, although it was to be eight more years before this first seed grew and multiplied. He never thought that this tiny mustard plant would serve as the basis for the establishment of a new Congregation in the Church, as later came about. This is why the missionaries of the Congregation celebrate the feast of the Conversion of the Apostle, in memory of the way this new Paul, their father and founder, happily completed on this day his first mission.” (cf. Abelly, Book One, Chapter Eight)

A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION

Gracious and loving God,
We come to you in humble prayer
for the United States of America.
Bless our President.
Give him wisdom and strength
to serve the American people
And lead our country in ways
that are pleasing to you.
Bless our Congress.
Instill in them knowledge
and understanding to enact laws
that protect the sanctity of life –
from the unborn to the elderly;
and promote the good of all people.
Bless the people of the United States.
Make us aware
of our responsibility as citizens
to uphold the principles of life,
liberty, justice, and equality.
Send your Holy Spirit
upon our beloved country.
Make us people of faith in time of uncertainty.
Make us people of hope in times of trouble.
Make us people of compassion
with those who are less fortunate.
Make us people of peace in our homes,
our communities,
our country, and our world.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

A Jubilee Mass at 6:30 PM on Thursday, June 16, 2011 in St. Joseph Church, honors this special anniversary and reception prepared by parishioners will follow in the church hall.

Rev. Mitchell “Mitch” Wanat CM was born on August 5, 1942 in New Haven, CT. As a child he met Vincentians in St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish. Records of  The Holy Name Society of St. Stanislaus Parish (established 1951) list him among prominent members who later became priests. After pursuing normal schooling Mitch Wanat joined the Congregation of the Mission in then Polish Vice-Province in the USA on June 11, 1963. He got through seminary formation in the Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, PA staffed by Vincentian from Eastern Province. He graduated with Master’s of Divinity and on May 29, 1971 he was ordained priest in Mary Queen of All Saints Chapel there.

Known for his athletic ability, immediately after ordinations Father Mitchell was assigned to St. John Kanty Prep in Erie, PA where he proved his worth till the end of athletic activities with the closing of the school in 1980. He was idolized by the students as a teacher and last athletic director in the school’s history.

Sport was very important and significant activity at Kanty Prep. The first sport to be organized in Kanty was baseball, because there was no gym for other sports. Tha ball playing took place in the cornfield, before the baseball diamond was laid out, with donated equipment. The first basketball game in the “old” gymnasium, built over the boiler room took place on February 12, 1924.

The excellence of sports at Kanty continued until the school’s closing in 1980. Beside the regular sports of football, basketball, and baseball, there were at times, winter skiing and sledding, tennis, bowling, golf, cross country running and even horseback riding.

A hiatus occurred in Kanty athletics when Kanty ceased to be solely a boarding school and became a day school in 1967. The resumption of an athletic schedule was slow but gained strength with time until, in 1980, there were undefeated in footbal (The Eagles), 10-0. The basketball (Varsity) record was excellent as well with 16 wins and 6 losses in final year.

When the Kanty Prep was closed in June 1980 Fr. Wanat together with Father John Sledziona CM and Brother Joseph Zurowski CM moved to Concord, NH, invited by the Bishop of Manchester to take over management of the Bishop Brady High School. While Fr. John became principal of the school and Bro. Joseph headed English department, Father Mitchell was a chaplain. Assigned to teaching and chaplaincy work at Bishop Brady High School Concord, NH Vincentians lived at Laboure House, expressly formed for that purpose at Bow, NH. When the parish of  St. Peter’s in Concord, NH was acquired in 1983, Father moved into the rectory and continued his teaching and chaplaincy activities at Bishop Brady until the contract expired in 1989. Father Mitchell honed in parochial work as vicar in St. Joseph’s Ansonia, CT until 1992.

Next, Father was sent to Lisbon Falls, ME in Diocese of Portland. Vincentians took over the parish of  SS. Cyril & Methodius in Lisbon Falls in 1976. Once it was an ethnic parish community created by Slovak immigrants. During the years and due to various circumstances number of parishioners declined almost leading the parish to closure. With the arrival of Fr. Edward Gicewicz CM as pastor life retuned to the parish. Thus, the Bishop of Portland initiated the project to merge three parishes in Lisbon Falls in to one. Besides St. Cyril and Methodius (placed on National Register of Historic Places on May 20, 1977) Vincentians started to work in Holy Family parish and St. Ann’s parish. Fr. George Dabrowski CM became pastor of first two parishes in 1992 and Fr. Mitchell a pastor of St. Ann’s parish. In 1993 he was appointed pastor of all three parishes. By the bishop’s decree of January 1, 1995 the three parishes became one – Holy Trinity Parish. In 1996 Fr. Anthony Kuzia CM replaced Fr. Wanat as pastor. In 2000 Vincentians left Lisbon Falls.

In 1996 Father Mitchell returned to St. Peter’s Parish in Concord, NH as Pastor and community Superior. Also in 1996 Father was elected Provincial Councilor and continued until 1998. His pastorate in Concord finished in 2001 when he was moved to St. Michael’s Parish in Derby, CT as pastor and superior again. Finally, in 2008 Father returned to Ansonia. First as administrator and then, since September 2 as a pastor of St. Joseph Parish. Meanwhile, on September 9, 2005 he has been elected as Provincial Councilor for another time.

You can view more pictures in the Facebook gallery

On this special day we wish Fr. Mitchell
plenty of graces from Heavens.
May the Lord bless, strengthen and protect you
on your Vincentian pathway!

Lots of parishioners were present at 11:30 AM Mass at St. Stanislaus, the Motherchurch of New England Province. Provincial Superior, Fr. A. Rafal Kopystynski CM, and pastor’s associates Fr. Stanley Miekinia CM and Fr. Marek Sadowski CM, as well as Fr. John Krzyzanski OFM Conv., St. Stanislaus native, were concelebrants in the Eucharist. Among attendants were four of Fr. Roman’s nine brothers and sister. His sister Helena even came from Greece.

New Haven is the oldest Vincentian location in the Province of New England. First missioners from Krakow came here in 1904. For long years it served as community superior’s residence, when it was a mission, vice-province and when it became autonomous province. Fr. Kmiec first arrived to New Haven in 1997. When he came again in 2006 he became its pastor and superior of the house.

After the Eucharist another celebration commenced in the school auditorium at Eld Street. Aproximately 230 people attended the party organized by grateful parishioners. Short artistic program with songs and poetry presented by students of Polish Saturday School and some of the jubilant’s relatives opened the event. Special dinner for all the participants followed. (Slideshow above presents some pictures from the event).

Father Roman Kmieć, was born on October 10, 1961 in Szarwark, a village near Dabrowa Tarnowska and Tarnow, South Eastern Poland as one of the ten children of the local organist. As a child he inherited a lot of his father’s music skill who taught him to play piano, saxophone and accordion. Even today, on various occasions, Fr. Roman is seen and heard playing accordion.

After completing secondary education he was admitted to the Congregation of the MIssion in the Province of Poland in Krakow on December 8, 1980. Vincentians are very much recognized in his native neighborhood. Besides the Holy Family in parish in Tarnow where they are present as long as they are in New Haven, they also take care of the local Marian Shrine in Odporyszow. He studied philosophy and theology at the Vincentian Fathers Institute of Theology (ITKM) which he graduated with Master of  Theology diploma. On December 8, 1984 he took his vows and finally was ordained priest on may 24, 1986.

His first priestly assignment was position of parochial vicar Our Lady of Rosary Parish in Pabianice in central Poland. There he stayed for a year until he travelled to the United States in September 1987.

His first steps on American soil lead him to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Brooklyn, NY. This place was chosen to let him improve his English and become engrossed in the large concentration of Polish immigrants. After spending one year at Greenpoint in 1988 he was assigned to St. Michael’s Parish in Derby, CT as vicar. His administrative and leadership talents were quickly recognized by superiors and in 1991, as a five years priest, he became Superior of the Community House there (replacing Fr. Ronald Wiktor CM) and held this responsibility until 1993.

Then he was appointed to St. Stanislaus Kostka in Brooklyn for the second time where he stayed as vicar until 1995. His next assignment was St. Peter’s Parish, Concord, NH where he was vicar again until 1997. On that year he was moved to St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Parish in New Haven, CT with the same responsibility until 2003.

In 1996 Vincentians took over St. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Upper Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY with Fr. Joseph Mietelski CM as the first Vincentian pastor of the church at 150 Dupont Street. After sudden death of Fr. Mietelski, his vicar Fr. Rafal Kopystynski became administrator of the parish. In 2003 Fr. Roman Kmiec was appointed second Vincentian pastor of SS. Cyril & Methodius assisted by Fr. Joseph Wisniewski CM. When Fr. Tadeusz Maciejewski CM replaced him in 2006 Father Roman has returned to New Haven. This time as pastor and superior, which continues to be.

View more pictures in the gallery on our Facebook page

Meanwhile, on January 15, 2001 Father was elected Provincial councilor for the first time. And again in 2003 and 2004. Finally, he has been elected councilor on November 25, 2008 once again.

Among his classmates: Fr. Jerezy Berdychowski CM (left) and Fr. Zdislaw Gora (right)

]]> http://cmnewengland.org/2011/05/silve-anniversary-of-fr-roman-kmiec-cm/feed/ 0 http://cmnewengland.org/2011/04/fr-marek-sobczak-cm-a-priest-sinc-thirty-years/ http://cmnewengland.org/2011/04/fr-marek-sobczak-cm-a-priest-sinc-thirty-years/#comments Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:47:13 +0000 Tom http://cmnewengland.org/?p=1435 April 25, is the feast of St. Mark, Evangelist. In 1981, this day was the magnificent event in the Vincentian seminary and Province of Poland, too. Twenty young men were ordained priests, another ten were received to deaconate. It was second time in the post war history of Province of Poland to have [...]]]> April 25, is the feast of St. Mark, Evangelist. In 1981, this day was the magnificent event in the Vincentian seminary and Province of Poland, too. Twenty young men were ordained priests, another ten were received to deaconate. It was second time in the post war history of Province of Poland to have so many new priests. And… it never occurred again. Almost half of those twenty new ordained Vincentian priests dedicated their priesthood to ministry outside Poland, in D.R. Congo, Madagascar, Brazil, Austria and USA. Fr. Marek SOBCZAK, nowadays, pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Brooklyn, NY, was one of two who were sent to new mission in New England in 1983.

Marek Wincenty Sobczak was born on July 19, 1955 in Bydgoszcz, Poland where the Vincentian parish of St. Vincent de Paul was erected in 1925 to commemorate 300th anniversary of Congregation of the Mission foundation. it remains one the largest and most significant Vincentian locations in Poland with numerous vocations feeding the community. After completing secondary education on December 8, 1974 he was received to the Congregation of the Mission in Krakow, Poland. He studied Philosophy and Theology at Vincentian Fathers Institute of Theology (ITKM) located at Stradom House in Kraków. Thanks to affiliation of the Institute to the Theological Faculty of Pontifical Academy of Theology (presently John Paul II Pontifical University) he graduated the seminary with M.A. diploma in Psychology. On December 8, 1980 he took his vows. Ordained by Bishop Albin Malysiak CM on April 25, 1981.

It was very important year int he history of Poland. The year of SOLIDARITY. Time of joy and freedom gained by Poles in August 1980 when the first ever independent from communist regime trade union was established as a result of nationwide strikes. And time before this freedom was shut down with the imposition of Martial Law in December 1981. Such numerous new priests and deacons in the Province of Poland were a very special blessing for the community.

After ordination Fr. Marek was sent to Holy Family Parish in Tarnow, Poland as his first assignment. First of all his a catechist there, teaching religion on four different school levels. Additionally, he animated and directed parish group of so called ŚWIATŁO-ŻYCIE (Light-Life) youth movement created in late 1950s in Kroscienko, in Pieniny Mountains, Southern Poland by Fr. Franciszek Blachnicki. Due to eased ralations between Church and state in Poland in 1970s movement’s development was tolerated by the administration but never officially recognized. Commonly, Swiatlo-Zycie movent was called OAZA referring to oasis on the deserts, the only enclaves of life among sands and no-life around. In 1980s OAZA groups were growing in many parishes becoming quite interesting and attractive alternative youth education program, independent form government policy. Summer or winter camps were an essential activity of those groups followed by in-parish formation during the school year.

These were not the only responsibilities of young vicar in Tarnow. He was involved in pastoral program for families, helped as chaplain in city hospital and worked as a chaplain in state correction facility, one of the largest in the region. Being so naturally vigorous and dynamic it was not easy to find any piece of parish life where Fr. Marek could not be involved wholeheartedly.

On August 29, 1983 he started new chapter of his life. As first Polish Vincentians did in 1904 he arrived to St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish in New Haven, CT. The Motherhouse of New England Province was his first American assignment. For three years he was responsible for the Polish Saturday School. Additionally he moderated the Folk Music Group and Altar Server in the parish. In the same time he completed English as Second Language (ESL) course at St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT.

In September 1986 moved to St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Brooklyn, NY for the first time. He was parochial vicar until January 1988. Among his responsibilities were teaching in confirmation classes, care of Altar Servers and some parish organizations. Next he came to St. Peter’s Parish in Concord, NH as parochial vicar and to continue his English studies. In September 1989 he returned to St. Stanislaus Parish, New Haven, CT as vicar continuing to help run the parish groups and organizations. Besides continuous work on improving his English he got focus computer science becoming most proficient in it in the Province.

In September 1994 Father was appointed superior of the St. Vincent Mission House in Utica, NY. There he served celebrating Masses in many local communities and preaching popular missions and Forty Hours Devotions. He was the last superior of the community in Utica. The House was officially closed in 1997. Ministry in Utica helped Fr. Marek flex his wings to prepare for pastorate in Ansonia.

From St. Vincent Mission House Father was reassigned to St. Joseph’s Parish, Ansonia, CT. In addition he was Director of the parish school, was deeeply involved in the hospital care of the sick, chaplain of the Parish organizations. Always was eager to help local clergy with sacramental services and preaching.
With his support, a modern Music Group, WITRAZ (Stained Window) was formed and their first music CD titled “TAJEMNICA” (Mystery) was professionally recorded and published. There were also JASELKA, traditional Polish Christmas performance staged by adults and children presented annually in the parish house. Watch Fr. Marek perfoming  in 2006 show:

Thanks to his invention and creativity Dances sponsored by the parish were organized to improve the social well-being of the parishioners.
In 1996 he was first elected to Provincial Council as one of councilors holding the position until 2000. Then in 2002 again. In September 2005 has been elected again as councilor and Assistant Provincial. He was delegate of the New England Province for the 41st General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission in Paris in 2010.

In September 2008 Father was called from Ansonia to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Brooklyn, NY again. This time as pastor and superior of the Vincentian community. He does everything he can to animate the life of the parish and meet all challenges and vulnerabilities. One of strongest challenges was saving St. Stanislaus Kostka School and transforming it into St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy in 2010 according to new standards imposed by Diocese of Brooklyn. Among his other concerns are renovation and replacement of heating system in the church and rectory which still under planning.
Thanks to Fr. Sobczak, St. Stanislaus Kostka church is the first parochial community in the United States were the relics of Blessed Father Jerzy Popieluszko were introduced and located.

Because the priesthood anniversary is on Easter Monday, parishioners have prepared anniversary celebrations anticipating the beatification of John Paul II and pearl anniversary of their pastor. The special Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at 11:30 AM Sunday Mass, April 3, presided by Fr. Jaroslaw Lawrenz CM, parochial vicar. Fr. Jarek took care of all preparations. Children of the parish’s Maria Konopnicka Polish Supplementary School, under the direction of their principal, Danuta Bronchard, and Grazyna Michalska, the children brought smiles to most everyone, and tears of joy to some, as the congregation listened to them speak about the Pope and listened to them sing some of the same Polish hymns John Paul II loved to sing himself.

At the end of the service children sang a special greetings song to their Pastor:

Wszystkiego dobrego / życzymy, życzymy / i zdrowia i szczęścia i błogosławieństwa / przez ręce Maryi.
Przez ręce Maryi / niech miłośc i pokój w sercu Twoim gości / niech nigdy nie braknie, niech nigdy nie braknie / ludzkiej życzliwości.

All the best / we greet / we greet / and health, and happiness, and blessing / by the hands of Mary
By the hands of Mary / let love and peace abide in heart of yours / let never ends, let never ends / people’s kindness.

After the Eucharist reception, prepared by the Rosary Society, Friends of the Missions, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Society, followed in St. Stanislaus Academy Auditorium, 12 Newell Street, where Father Marek’s parishioners had chance to extend their congratulations and best wishes to their pastor on his special anniversary marking the day a spirit-lifting and memorable Sunday morning for everyone.

Watch Facebook picture gallery from the event

In the parish bulletin (Sunday, April 10) Fr. Marek thanked in these words, “I wish to express my appreciation to everyone who donated their time and effort, so that I could thank God for the 30 years of priestly service in the presence of our parish community. I am grateful to the children and adults for the prayers, poems, wishes and kind words. I am grateful for the baked goods, for the flowers, cards, gifts and for your presence at the Mass and in the auditorium. Thank you for your big hearts! Thank you for the gathering filled with such joy, which I did not expect…” READ FULL TEXT FROM THE BULLETIN (English & Polish)

“Forty years have passed, it’s a beautiful age; forty years, and even one more day. Be ready for twice as much now and perhaps the triple one, who knows?”

Fr. Jan URBANIAK was born in the midst of Nazi occupation of Poland on May 24, 1942 in small village of Jadachy in the community of Nowa Dęba, in Tarnobrzeg county (South Eastern Poland), in the St. Stanislaus B & M parish in Chmielow, diocese of Sandomierz as son of Katarzyna (Cathrine) and Jozef (Joseph) Urbaniak. In the toughest period of Stalinist regime he took his First Communion. He received Sacrament of Confirmation in the atmosphere of so called June Revolt (1956) against communist rule. In the the early 1960s’ he entered diocesan seminary in Sandomierz which was staffed by Vincentians in those times. And the bishop of Sandomierz, Msgr Jan Kanty Lorek (1936 – 1967) one of the most prominent and zealous prelates of his times was a Vincentian, too. During seminary formation he witnessed important events in Poland’s modern history, two strong political crisises – first, so called 1968 March Events and another one, more cruel, December 1970 events which could not be easy to get through for a young cleric. Two month after the December protests, in the threshold of some political reforms he became a priest. He was ordained on February 28, 1971 by bishop Walenty Wojcik, an Auxiliary Bishop of Sandomierz.

For over twenty year after ordination he was assigned to various parochial ministries in his diocese, including pastorate of  Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Tomaszow Mazowiecki (nowadays diocese of Radom), St. Tekla in Tymienica Nowa (also diocese of Radom presently), Our Lady Maother of Church – St. Stanislaus Kostka in Nagorzyce and St. Jospeh the Worker in Kotowa Wola parishes.

In 1994 he moved to the United States. After arrival to New York he assisted at St. Stanislaus Kostka church, Brooklyn, where finally he stayed for good. He was involved in religious education of children and other Priestly duties. A year later, Father entered Congregation of the Mission in the Province of New England starting his novitiate – Internal Seminary – on the feast of Assumption, August 15, 1995. In 1997 he took his vows in the Congregation. Since 1999 Father Jan has been serving as parochial vicar in St. Stanislaus Kostka in Brooklyn.

After Fr. Rafal Kopystynski CM, pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka, was appointed Provincial in September 2007 administration of the parish was temporarily handed to Fr. Urbaniak. He held the position of Parish Administrator for almost a year until Fr. Marek Sobczak CM was called from Ansonia to become current pastor and Superior at St. Stanislaus Kostka. Father remained in the parish being engaged in its various ministries. Presently, he is responsible for Living Rosary Society, Holy Heart of Jesus Society and Ushers groups as their chaplain.

Our Province will celebrate Fr. Jan’s anniversary during the Eucharist at St. Stanislaus Kostka church on May 22, 2011. We will update you on this event later.

More pictures available in our FACEBOOK page

On this special day wish Fr. Jan, that God bless him with good health and graces so he can continue to serve the people of God with zeal and love.

Fr. Jan Urbaniak CM (center) with Fr. Marek Sobczak CM (left), current pastor of St. Stanislaw Kostka and Fr. Rafal Kopystynski CM, previous pastor (right)

]]> http://cmnewengland.org/2011/02/rev-jan-urbaniak-cm-ruby-priesthood-anniversary/feed/ 0 http://cmnewengland.org/2010/11/180-years-since-miraculous-medal-apparitions/ http://cmnewengland.org/2010/11/180-years-since-miraculous-medal-apparitions/#comments Sat, 27 Nov 2010 11:05:26 +0000 Tom http://cmnewengland.org/?p=1104 It was a day like today on November 27, 1830 – the Saturday before First Sunday of Advent – when the Virgin Mary appeared to Catherine Labouré, a 24 year old Daughter of Charity novice during the evening meditations in the chapel at 140 Rue du Bac in Paris. It was the second [...]]]> It was a day like today on November 27, 1830 – the Saturday before First Sunday of Advent – when the Virgin Mary appeared to Catherine Labouré, a 24 year old Daughter of Charity novice during the evening meditations in the chapel at 140 Rue du Bac in Paris. It was the second time that the Virgin Mary appeared to Catherine. In her first apparition, during night on July 18, 1830 she promised her, “My child, I am going to give you a mission”. This mission was given to young Daughter of Charity on that evening of November 27.

The story began on the night of July 18-19, 1830. In those times it was the vigil of the feast of St Vincent de Paul (in old liturgical calendar). A child (perhaps her guardian angel) awakened Sister Catherine Labouré, a novice in the community of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, and summoned her to the chapel. There, St. Catherine stopped near the chair, used by the priest in the sanctuary. She then heard a sound similar to the swish of a silk dress. Catherine hurried to the knees of the Blessed Virgin who was sitting on a chair. The Virgin Mary spoke with her for several hours. “I then bounded to the steps of the altar, knelt and let my hands rest on the knees of the Blessed Virgin”, St. Catherine said later in her words, “there I spent the most pleasant time of my life. It would be impossible for me to describe what I experienced. The Blessed Virgin told me how I should conduct myself with regard to my confessor and many other things.” Mary told her  she would give Catherine the mission.

On November 27 1830 at 5:30 pm, during meditation, St. Catherine saw a picture of the Blessed Virgin. (It was the place where presently a statue of Virgin on the Globe is located). “I saw the Blessed Virgin, standing, dressed in white; she was of medium height and her face was so beautiful that it would be impossible for me to describe that beauty.” – said Catherine Laboure… Standing on a half-globe holding in her hands a small golden globe: her feet crushing a serpent. Coming from the open hands of the Blessed Virgin were beautiful rays of light and at that same moment St. Catherine heard a voice saying: «These rays are symbols of graces that Mary obtains for people ».

Then an oval formed around the apparition and Catherine saw emblazoned in a semi-circle this invocation, until then unknown: « O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to you » written in gold letters. Streaming from rings on Mary’s fingers as she held the globe were many rays of light. Mary explained that the rays symbolize the graces she obtains for those who ask for them. However, some of the gems on the rings were dark, and Mary explained that the rays and graces were available but did not come because no one had asked for them.

Then the picture turned and St. Catherine saw on the reverse side: the letter M surmounted with a little cross and below it the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Catherine then heard these words:« Have a medal made on this model. Those who will wear it with confidence will receive great graces ».

The website of the Chapel of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal
in Paris offers a virtual guided tour of the chapel

One day in December 1830, she does not give the precise date, Catherine had the third vision of Mary. During meditation, Catherine again heard the rustling sound, this time from behind the altar. The same image of the medal was present near the tabernacle, slightly to the back of it. But this time vision was changed showing our Lady standing on a globe with her arms now outstretched and with the dazzling rays of light still streaming from her fingers. Again, an inscription: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you was framing the picture. The vision turned and showed the design of the reverse side of the medal. Twelve stars encircled a large letter “M” (standing for Mary) from which arose a cross. Below are two hearts with flames arising from them. One heart is encircled in thorns and the other is pierced by a sword.

On the the third apparition Virgin Mary repeated the mission she gave to Catherine in November: « Have a medal made on this model. Those who will wear it with confidence will receive great graces ». The other mission on request of Mary was to have a Confraternity of the children of Mary established. St. Catherine reported all this visions and instructions she was given to her spiritual director and confessor, Fr. Aladel. However, he was not receptive to the message and forbade her to think about it which severely shocked her. Faithful to confessor’s request she did not reveal that she received the Medal until soon before her death 47 years later. On January 30, 1831, Catherine finished her novitiate and received the habit of the Daughters of Charity. The next day she left rue du Bac for the Hospice of Enghien at 12 rue de Picpus at Reuilly, in a poverty-stricken area on the east side of Paris, where she would serve the poor throughout 46 years quietly and unknown.

Watch the presentation of the story of life of St. Catherine Labouré DC

After careful investigation, Fr. Aladel obtained the approval of Mgr. de Quelen, Archbishop of Paris, and on June 30, 1832, the first medals were struck and with their distribution the devotion spread rapidly. One of the most remarkable facts recorded in connection with the Miraculous Medal is the conversion of a Jew, Alphonse Ratisbonne of Strasburg, who had resisted the appeals of a friend to enter the Church. M. Ratisbonne consented, somewhat reluctantly, to wear the medal, and being in Rome, he entered, by chance, the church of Sant’ Andrea delle Fratte and beheld in a vision the Blessed Virgin exactly as she is represented on the medal; his conversion speedily followed. In 1836, a Canonical inquiry undertaken in Paris declared the apparitions to be genuine.

Fr. Aladel fulfilled the second request of Virgin Mary as well. On February 2, 1840 he established first group or sodality of children from Daughters of Charity schools in Paris. Later on June 20, 1847, Fr. Jean Baptiste Etienne CM, Superior General, obtained from Pope Pius IX the privilege to erect in each house of the Daughters of Charity a pious confraternity, dedicated to Mary Immaculate, made up of young girls attending their schools or workrooms, with all the indulgences attached to a similar society established for its students at Rome by the Society of Jesus. This confraternity adopted the Miraculous Medal as its badge, and the members, known as the Children of Mary, wear it attached to a blue ribbon.

The Brief of Pius IX of September 19, 1876, permitted the admission into this association of young girls not attending the schools or workrooms of the Daughters of Charity. Leo XIII confirmed these privileges by the Briefs of May 21, 1897, August 2, 1897, and April 29, 1903. The statistics of 1897 gave one hundred thousand living members throughout the world, four hundred thousand having been registered from the date of the first canonical erection, in Paris, 19 July, 1847. From the same date to 1908, forty thousand were registered in the institutions of the Daughters of Charity in the United States alone.

As the cult of the Miraculous Medal spread rapidly throughout the world on June 8, 1905 Pope Pius X has internationally recognized the Association of Miraculous Medal and in 1909 approved its charter. There are two Associations of Miraculous Medal in the United States. The original purpose of the Central Association was to spread devotion to Mary Immaculate by encouraging devotion to Mary under her title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

In March of 1915, Father Joseph Skelly CM established the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA. Three years earlier Father Skelly, received a special assignment from the Provincial of theUS Eastern Province of the Congregation of the MIssion to raise funds for the construction of a Minor Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. He placed a small Medal in each appeal letter that he mailed to raise funds for the Minor Semniary. So generous was the response brought through the intercession of Mary Immaculate that Father Skelly felt some special mark of gratitude to Our Lady was in order. After prayer and consultation, it was decided to form – in March of 1915 – The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal (CAMM) with Father Skelly as its first Director. Fr. Skelly died in 1963.

In 1918 another Association was established by the US Western Province of the Congregation of the Mission at Saint Mary’s of the Barrens Seminary, Perryville, MO. At first it was operated by the Vincentian seminarians under the direction of their religious superior. Soon the Association expanded and was given its own director, staff, and office space. The first director was Father Joseph Finney, C.M. He served from 1924 until his death in 1962.

On 23 July, 1894, Pope Leo XIII, after a careful examination of all the facts by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, instituted a feast, with a special Office and Mass, of the Manifestation of the Immaculate Virgin under the title of the Miraculous Medal, to be celebrated yearly on November 27.

To learn more about Miraculous Medal devotion Association of Miraculous Medal in the United States visit websites of

Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia

National Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville

You may find interesting the international website of the Association of Miraculous Medal where number of formation materials and documents can be found.

Jeżeli interesuje Cię działalność Stowarzyszenia Cudownego Medalika w Polsce zapraszamy na stronę APOSTOLATU MARYJNEGO.
Bardzo dokładny opis kaplicy Objawień Cudownego Medalika przy Rue du Bac w Paryżu można znaleźć w witrynie SIÓSTR MIŁOSIERDZIA PROWINCJI KRAKOWSKIEJ

Aby obejrzeć ten film w wersji polskiej przejdź do kanału FAMVIN.ORG-POLSKA na YouTube

[story based on:
Chapel of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal,
New Advent Encyclopedia and again,
AMM and CAMM]

Independent Trade Union SOLIDARITY in Poland is celebrating 30th Anniversary this week. On this occasion the special concelebrated Mass in Polish was given at 11:30 AM, Sunday, August 29 in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY. Fr. Marek Sobczak CM, pastor, presided and Fr. Jan Urbaniak CM was concelebrant. In this way the parish commemorated the events from 1980, when after over two weeks of nation wide strike and workers’ protest communist authority was forced to sign agreement with new workers organization. The agreement guaranteed creation of trade union, first such behind Iron Curtain not controlled by the communist party and government. This victory in peaceful battle ignited the light of freedom and change which lead Poland and other East European countries to get rid of the communist regime. Thanks to to this victory, after 30 years Poland is enjoying freedom, democracy and membership in European and world organization as strong and proud nation. August 31, 1980 was one of the most significant and important events in Polish history in at least 20th century.

The liturgy was a unique character and the church was decorated for the occasion. A commemorative wrath with white and red sashes and “SOLIDARNOŚĆ” (Solidarity) inscription on it, was laid in front of the altar. Various flag bearers and Solidarity representatives were lead to the church by priests and altar servers. As usual, members of the Sea League (Liga Morska) dressed in white uniformed bearing flags were present as well as few representatives of local Polish-American organizations and veterans.

Fr. Sobczak gave the homily during the Mass. At the beginning he reminded the moments from Pope’s John Paul II first visit to Poland in 1979 with the significant words which later often were reminded as encouragement for Poles to change their situation and struggle for freedom: “June 1979. A huge crowd of Poles gathered in Victory Square in Warsaw, and millions on television with bated breath, listening to the homily of Pope John Paul II, in which these important words were heard: ‘Let Thy Spirit descend and renew the face of the earth. This land.”

“Spirit descended and filled the hearts of Poles with hope”, he continued. “Wind of renewal blew, with the strength of Chinook from the Tatra Mountains to the Baltic Sea. And in August 1980, after years of sprouting will of independence, the “Solidarity”, which led to great changes in Poland and Europe was born. For years, Polish people bent under the burden of totalitarian, communist regime, now straightened out, matured, and got strong and learned how to live again. In fact, freedom, so longed, redeemed by blood and martyrdom, in prisons and through intimidation, was not given to us only – but as John Paul II taught us, both the Pope and Countryman, – but also the set point. We started fulfill this preset lesson of freedom.”

Fr. Marek has also reminded two other great Poles, Servant of God, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski and Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko. He recalled Cardinal Wyszynski’s words on foundation of SOLIDARNOŚĆ, “the present society wakes up from sleep and no-will, because it recalls responsibility for the Nation, looks for initiatives and solutions; in front of us we must see the whole Nation, the society, the country, we must save the Nation and the family…” and next other remarkable words of blessed martyr, Fr. Jerzy, “we cannot talk about building the common motherhouse, when human rights are not respected and human dignity is demeaned… planned authorization, battle against God and what was from God is the battle against human greatness and dignity; thus great is man for bearing the dignity of God’s child”.

At the end of homily, again he quoted John Paul II from his homily in Gdansk, “Solidarity means one and other; if it is a burden, it is a burden carried together, in community. And so, it is never one against the other.”
Finally, the Pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka said, “may the passage from the significant work of Adam Mickiewicz, “Pan Tadeusz”, encourage us by the spirit to struggle for renewal in the nation… in book one the Chamberlain holds talk to the Judge:

Ah, I remember the times when on our fatherland
there first descended the fashion of imitating the French;
when suddenly brisk young gentlemen from foreign lands
swarmed in upon us in a horde worse than the Nogai Tatars,
abusing here, in our country, God, the faith of our fathers,
our law and customs, and even our ancient garments.
Pitiable was it to behold the yellow-faced puppies,
talking through their noses–and often without noses
–stuffed with brochures and newspapers of various sorts,
and proclaiming new faiths, laws, and toilets.
That rabble had a mighty power over minds,
for when the Lord God sends punishment on a nation
he first deprives its citizens of reason.
And so the wiser heads dared not resist the fops,
and the whole nation feared them as some pestilence,
for within itself it already felt the germs of disease.
They cried out against the dandies but took pattern by them;
they changed faith, speech, laws, and costumes.
That was a masquerade, the license of the Carnival season,
after which was soon to follow the Lent of slavery.

To read the whole homily text go to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish website or click on the PDF link below:

Tekst homilii na Mszy św. z okazji 30 rocznicy NSZZ SOLIDARNOŚĆ

August 31, 1980, Gdansk, Poland.

The United States and the American people supported and backed up Poland in its struggles for freedom in those days when SOLIDARITY movement arose. Today, when Poland a free democracy and strong ally and partner remembers the outstanding historical event which brought change to so many people United States is present among Poles, too.

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Lee A. Feinstein have visited Gdansk and Gdynia on August 30 and 31 participating in events marking the 30th anniversary of the SOLIDARITY movement. On Monday he has given read a letter from President Barack Obama which said, “As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Solidarity movement we are reminded of the vision, sacrifice, and struggle of those courageous men and women who risked everything to stand up to oppression … The Solidarity Movement is a source of inspiration in the fight for liberty for all the world’s citizens.” He also gave remarks at Solidarity’s 30th anniversary gala and concert at the Gdynia Sports Stadium and met with European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek who was taking part in the celebrations. Read tle Letter of Barack Obama and other remarks and statements from US officials on the Anniversary

Letter from President Obama on 30th anniversary of SOLIDARITY movement (English)

List Prezydenta Baracka Obamy na 30-lecie Porozumień Sierpniowych (tłumaczenie polskie)

Statement by Ambassador Lee Feinstein (English)

Ambassador Feinstein’s Remarks during the anniversary Solidarity gathering in Gdynia (English)

Wystąpienie Ambasadora Lee Feinstena na nadzwyczajnym zjeżdzie Solidarności w Gdynii (tłumaczenie polskie)

Statement by Senator Barbara A. Mikulski

Remarks on the anniversary by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

In the morning Tuesday, August 31 Ambassador Feinstein has met with Former President Lech Wałęsa, the legendary chairman of the Solidarity trade union. Later, at noon he attended Mass of Thanksgiving at the Three Crosses Monument, celebrated by Primate of Poland, Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk. In the afternoon he met with local authorities from Gdansk Voivodship and Marshall of Provincial Assembly as well as with American and Polish labor activists and entertainers. In the evening the Ambassador was attending “Solidarity: Your Angel’s Name is Freedom” special concert and celebration at the Gdansk shipyard prepared by European Solidarity Center.