February 10, 2012, 1:54 am
Tarnobrzeg, just a few miles southwest of Wielowieś. (Photo from Panoramio.com)
This is the continuation of the story of the life of the Mother Maria Kolumba, foundress of the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. In our previous installment, Sister Kolumba, who was not even yet professed, received the approval of Most Rev. Adam Jasiński, the bishop of Przemyśl, to found a Third Order of Sisters in Wielowieś.
Father Leszczyński, the enthusiastic helper of Sister Kolumba, began to arrange for the use of a wooden church building in Wielowieś which had been a school of two rooms, as a temporary convent until a permanent one could be built. The project gained the support of local clergy, who helped in various ways. A donation of 5.6 acres of land opposite the church was made, along with a promise of construction material. Continue reading ‘A Simple Convent and Public Approval Are the Blessings of the New Foundation’ »
February 4, 2012, 8:34 pm
Wielowieś and Przemyśl are in the southeastern part of present-day Poland. (Adapted from Google map)
This is the continuation of the story of the life of the Mother Maria Kolumba, foundress of the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. In our previous installment, Sister Kolumba received the encouragement of the Master General of the Dominican Order to found a Dominican convent in Poland. She also met Father Julian Leszczyński, who was looking for Dominican sisters for his parish in Wielowieś, in southeast Poland.
Father Leszczyński, who had dabbled with drawings of Dominican sisters as a child, was very happy when Sister Kolumba sent him Statutes of the Third Order in Polish, along with the news of the blessing about her plans of Most Rev. Adam Jasiński, the new bishop of Przemyśl.
The bishop placed the project under the supervision and guidance of Fr. Leszczyński, and advised Mother Kolumba to privately open a novitiate for new candidates without waiting for the approval of the Austrian government or the Diocese. The plan was to find their place in the Dominican Constitution, submit their plans to the Dominican Chapter meeting, then obtain approval first of the Bishop, and finally of the government. Continue reading ‘Bishop’s Approval of Emerging Dominican Congregation Brings Great Joy’ »
January 30, 2012, 8:52 pm
Solemn jubilee of 150 years of service.
On August 8, 2011, our Congregation celebrated a very important day. One hundred and fifty years ago, on August 8 of 1861, on the feast of St. Dominic, the very first class of the novitiate started, marking the beginning of the existence of our Community. Since that day, many young women have chosen to serve God in our Community, following the example of St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena, and the Venerable Servant of God, Mother Kolumba Bialecka.
The year of the solemn jubilee of 150 years will end on August 8, 2012. Throughout the year, sisters in every house of our Community celebrate this joyful event. On January 21, the jubilee Mass was celebrated in our home in Milwaukee, WI, to thank God for the anniversary. The invited celebrant, Archbishop Jerome Listecki, reminded us of the meaning and importance of thankfulness. God gives us His grace freely, according to His will, even though we do not deserve it. The only way we may repay God for His goodness is to love Him, especially through serving others. Continue reading ‘150th Jubilee Marked by Joy and Thanksgiving’ »
