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born March 15, 1869 in Wielowieś, Poland
"I remember Mother Kolumba Białecka, Foundress of the Convent in Wielowieś perfectly. Small, slim, always serene and smiling, she herself rushed to help all the sick, and when she could no longer do it herself, she entrusted this duty to her Sisters to look after the sick and dying. For her sacrificial work, for her cordial treatment of everyone, especially the suffering and unfortunate, she was commonly called an Angel. I also remember this detail, that after her death she was laid in a double coffin, in which a bottle with papers was also placed."
born November 16, 1863 in Wielowieś, Poland
"I was 17 years old when I went to school, which was established by Mother Kolumba Białecka. I remember her as a person of short stature, blonde with very nice eyes. To us, children, she was always kind and smiling. She was called Reverend Mother. For her virtues and saintly life, the people not only respected and loved her, but also called her an Angel."
born January 6, 1862 in Wielowieś, Poland
"I have a vivid image of Mother Kolumba Białecka in my memory. She prayed fervently by my mother's bedside until my mother closed her eyes forever. Mother Kolumba reminded us never to abandon the poor, to care for the sick, and especially to bring them consolation in the hour of agony. Her actions always confirmed that which she taught.
From Sister Markolina's story, I recall one detail that proves how much Mother Kolumba cared about the fate of the poor. Behold, one day, so much bread was distributed at the convent gate that the rest could only be enough for breakfast for the sisters. Suddenly, at a late hour, a poor man rang at the gate asking for a meal. Sister Markolina went to Mother Kolumba, but immediately pointed out that there was not enough bread to distribute because there was barely enough for the sisters. However, Mother Kolumba ordered to give bread to this poor man, saying that God would not abandon them. And she was not disappointed, because early in the morning someone brought to the convent gate a loaf of bread as a donation.
My father told me that many peasants helped build the convent. At one point, the scaffolding collapsed and three men were so badly injured that one of them had to be carried out on sheets. However, they all recovered in such a short time that their recovery was attributed to the fervent prayers of Mother Kolumba.
When in 1944 the German army was retreating beyond the Vistula River, it was from there that they opened fire on the approaching Soviet troops. Many people with children from the nearby town of Tarnobrzeg took refuge in the convent. The convent, especially the tower, was the target of the shelling. The shelling was intense and yet it did not damage the monastery. I am convinced that Mother Kolumba obtained this grace from God that her work was not razed to the ground.”
born March 19, 1872 in Wielowieś, Poland
“As a little boy, I heard a lot about Mother Kolumba, the Foundress of the Convent in Wielowieś. She was called the Reverend Mother, and most often an Angel. She was always spoken of as a Saint, which made a great impression on us, the children. I got to know Mother Kolumba better when I started going to school.
I can still recall her small figure and the pleasant expression on her face. She made the impression of an angel. I recited a poem in front of her, for which she kindly patted me on the head and said a few words. She visited the school, which she established, during lessons and listened to our answers, and when they were right, she praised us and encouraged us to study.
born November 14, 1869 in Wielowieś, Poland
"I remember the Foundress of the Dominican Sisters and of the convent in Wielowieś, Mother Kolumba Białecka, as a great caregiver of the poor and the sick, and very respected and loved by everyone. She taught older youth and children the catechism herself. Countess Tarnowska often visited her, bringing with her clothes for the poor. Mother Kolumba personally distributed these clothing. Hence, when we saw the Countess' carriage coming to the convent, we left what we were doing and ran to the convent gate."
born May 14, 1866 in Wielowieś, Poland
"I remember the moment when Mother Kolumba Białecka and Sister Gertruda Łastowiecka came to Wielowieś. I remember the construction of the convent, as well as the funeral of Mother Kolumba, in which I took part. I cannot forget the impression I had then. The sorrow and crying of those present at Mother Kolumba's funeral seemed as if someone from the family, someone very close, had died. She was always so good, kind, cordial, and helpful, that we often called her Angel."
