Celebration of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Celebration of Our Lady of Czestochowa
St. Hedwig Church Saturday, August 1, 2008
Prelude of Marian Hymns at 9:30 A.M.
Mass at 10:00 o’clock A.M.
Father Bob Lengerich, Associate Pastor of St. Pius X Church, Officiating
A Short History of Our Lady of Czestochowa
It is doubtful whether any other representation of Our Blessed Mother with Her Divine Child,
poses a more ancient and glorious history than the painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
Tradition holds that Saint Luke painted it on the top of a cypress wood table which came from
the home of the Holy Family. At the request of the faithful, Mary sat for the portrait. Mary
was pleased with the finished portrait, “My grace shall accompany it,” and so began the
miraculous history of the painting.
Venerated for nearly 300 years while hidden in Jerusalem, the painting was discovered by St.
Helen in 326, when she went to Jerusalem in search of the True Cross. She brought the
portrait home to Constantinople and presented it to her son, Constantine the Great, first
Christian Emperor of Rome. Constantine built a chapel for the portrait where it remained for
five centuries.
Miracle upon miracle was attributed to the intercession of Mary by persons praying before
the portrait. Over the years, many enemies laid siege to Constantinople. The chapel became
a center of hope for the people of the city. During one attack the city seemed ready to fall,
but the people rallied to the painting and the city was saved. Another time the city was
under attack and the chapel caught fire. Everything was destroyed except a small section of
wall upon which hung the painting of Mary and Jesus. The intense heat and soot from the
fire had darkened the already dark olive features of Mary and Jesus.
Emperor Charlemagne, while visiting Constantinople, was offered a gift of his choice of any of
the city’s treasures, but he had eyes only for the portrait of Our Lady. He, in turn, presented
it to Prince Leo of Ruthenia, where it remained for centuries. The portrait was brought to
Kiev and installed in the Royal Palace of Belz. It remained there for 570 years.
Marauding Tartar tribes besieging the castle of Belz, had damaged the portrait with an arrow
piercing the neck, leaving a scar which is still visible on the neck. Concerned with the safety
of the painting, in 1382, Prince Ladislaus of Opole decided to transfer the picture to one of his
castles in Upper Selesia. Stopping in Czestochowa to rest for the night, he placed the icon in a
small church on the hill called Jasna Gora (Bright Hill). The next morning, when he loaded the
portrait onto his wagon, the horses refused to move and no amount of coaxing or goading
could make them go on. He discerned that Mary wished this to be Her new home. The
Miraculous Image was placed in a chapel and given to the care of the Basillian monks of the
Greek Rite. Then on August 16, 1382, he entrusted the portrait to the white-robed Pauline
Fathers from Hungary where it remains in their care in South Central Poland until today.
The year 1382 begins the remarkable recorded history of this miraculous painting if figured in
the heroic successful defense of Poland against invaders who were enemies of the Catholic
Church. Over time, the monastery at Jasna Gora became a monastic fortress and focal point
of Polish nationalism. In 1655 the monastery held out against a mighty Swedish army. As a
result, Jan Casimir, the King of Poland, proclaimed Her the hereditary Queen of Poland whose
feast as Queen of Poland is May 3. In 1683 it was the Turks, and in 1920 the Polish people
beseeched Our Lady to save them from the impending invasion of the Bolsheviks as they
arrived at the banks of the River Vistula. Her image appeared over Warsaw, causing the
Russian withdrawal. Once again She showed Her support for Her people during times of
oppression. Despite the German capture of Poland during World War II, thousands of
pilgrims secretly journeyed to visit the image and implored Her protection. In 1948 during
the Russian occupation of Poland thousands of people demonstrated their faith en masse on
the Feast of the Assumption, even while Communist soldiers patrolled the streets.
During all of these stirring historical events, the painting did not escape desecration and
mutilation. In 1430, Hussites sacked the Jasna Gora monastery and the icon was further
mutilated. Pillaging, they loaded all the treasures of Jasna Gora onto wagons, but the horses
pulling the wagon would not move. The Hussites threw the painting off the wagon, and it
broke in three. One of the raiders seeing the jewels and gold covering the painting slashed at
it with sabers, cutting twice into the right cheek of Mary. When he went to strike it a third
time he fell dead. The other raiders fled for fear of Divine Retribution.
The Image was restored by skilled artists, but the slashes and arrow damage always returned.
It is believed to be the will of Mary that the scars should remain as a sign to any who would
desecrate Her Shrine. For decorative purposes, the icon has two jeweled and beaded dresses
and a gold crown, one of which is a gift from Pope St. Pius X to replace one that was stolen
and had been given to her by Pope Clement XI. Many miracles have been attributed to Our
Lady of Czestochowa whose feast Day is August 26th. The novena for Our Lady of
Czestochowa (which begins on August 18 th) may be accessed from the website:
http://www.czestochowa.US from the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in
Doylestown, Pennsylvania maintained by the Pauline Fathers.
The icon used at this service is a gift from St. Adalbert Church, sister parish of St. Pius X
Parish, and hangs in the chapel of St. Pius X Church in Granger along with Our Lady of
Guadeloupe and was offered to St. Pius Church through the efforts of Father Chris Cox, CSC,
pastor, and Lou Ciesielski, parishioner of St. Adalbert Church.
I. PRELUDE
1. Po górach Dolinach/Immaculate Mary
Immaculate Mary. Our hearts are on fire!
That title so wondrous, fills all our desire!
Refrain: Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria. Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!
We pray for God’s glory, may His Kingdom come.
We pray for His Vicar, Our Father, and Rome. Refrain: Ave…
We pray for our Mother, The Church upon earth.
And bless, sweetest Lady, The land of our birth. Refrain: Ave…
Po górach, dolinach, rozlega się dzwon,
Anielskie witanie ludziom głosi on.
Refrain: Ave, Ave, Ave Maria, Zdrowaś, Zdrowaś, Zdrowaś Maryja.
Bernardka dziewczynka, szła po drzewo w las,
Anioł ją tam wiedzie, Bóg sam wybrał czas. Ave…
Wtem wicher zaszumiał gwałtowny od skał,
W niej serce zadrżało, cud sie spełnić miał. Ave..
Spogląda na skały Massabielskiej stok,
Dziewica przecudna uderza jej wzrok. Ave…
Oblicze Jej słodkie, w oczach błyska Raj,
Zdaje się przemawiać, Daj mi serce, daj! Ave…
2. Serdeczna Matko/Beloved Mother
Stainless the Maiden, whom He chose for Mother.
Nine months she waited, bearing Christ, our Brother.
Think of her gladness, when at last she saw Him-God in a manger, Bethlehem a Heaven.
Jesus has conquered. To His side He raised her.
Queen of the Angels, every Saint has praised her.
Yet in her splendor, Mary goes on drawing
sinners and exiles to their promised glory.
Come, sons and daughters, through the ages singing,
Praising the Virgin, joys and sorrows bringing,
robed in the sunshine, Zion ’s fairest flower,
Spouse of the Spirit, be to us a Mother.
Lantern in darkness when the sick are sighing,
Refuge of brightness, comfort for the dying.
High she is holding, for a world imploring
hope of the nations- Jesus Christ our Brother.
Serdeczna Matko, Opiekunko ludzi
Niech cię płacz sierot do litości wzbudzi
Refrain: Wygańcy Ewy, Do Ciebie wołamy
Zlituj się zlituj, Niech się nie tułamy
Do kogóż mamy, Wzdychać nędzne dziatki?
Tylko do Ciebie, ukochanej Matki
U której serce otwarte każdemu,
A osobliwie nędzą strapionemu!
Zasłużyliśmy, to prawda przez złości,
By nas Bóg karał rózgą surowości;
Lecz kiedy Ojciec rezgniewany siecze,
Szczęśliwy, kto się do Matki uciecze.
3.
Zawitaj Królowo Różańca/We Greet Thee, Queen of the Holy Rosary
Zawitaj Królowo Różańca świętego,
Jedyna nadziejo człowieka grzesznego
Zawitaj bez zmazy lilijo
Matko Rożańcowa Maryja!
Panno nad Pannami, Święta nad Świętymi,
Najświętsza Królowo, Pani nieba ziemi,
Najśliczniejszy kwiecie, lilio
Matko Rożańcowa, Maryjo.
Matko Różańcowa—jasna Gwiazdo morska,
Anielska Królowo, śliczna Matko Boska,
Raju rozkosznego lilio
Matko Różańcowa, Maryjo.
Tyś jest najśliczniejsza, Różo ogrodowa,
Tyś najprzyjemniejsza Rożdżko Aaronowa,
Najwdzięczniejszy kwiecie, lilijo
Matko Rożańcowa, Maryjo.
Chwałą bądź Maryjo na niebieskim tronie,
Która w różańcowej królujesz koronie,
Święta nad Świętymi, lilijo
Matko Różańcowa, Maryjo
4.
Cześć Maryi/Respect to Mary; Respect and Praise
Cześć Maryi, Cześć I chwała, Pannie swiętej cześć!
Spiewaj spiewaj, dziatwo mała, Hołd Jej Spiesz sie nieść. (repeat)
Jej to ręce piastowały Tego, co ten swiat;
Stworzył wielki I wspaniały; Syn Jej, a nasz brat. (repeat)
On jak Matkę Ją miłował, Jej posłusznym był.
Każde słowo Jej szanował, chociaż Bogiem był. (repeat)
Dziatki lube, jesli chcecie błogi żywot mieć,
Dajcie, jako Jezus –Dziecię, Pannie Świętej cześć (repeat)
Niewinność, cichość, pokora , to Maryi strój;
Przez nie, miła niebios Cera łask zyskała zdrój. (repeat)
W przegwieździstej koronie, Ją osadził Bóg
Na wysokim niebios tronie; ma w Aniołach sług (repeat)
Obraz Maryi, dziatwo droga, w sercu zawszo noś;
O opiekę Matki Boga, zawsze kornie proś. (repeat)
5. Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you,
Blessed are you among women,
And blest is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now,
And at the hour of our death. Amen,
Gentle woman, quiet light,
Morning star, so strong and bright,
Gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
Teach us wisdom; teach us love.
You were chosen by the Father.
You were chosen for the Son.
You were chosen from all women.
And for women shining one.
Gentle woman, quiet light,
Morning star, so strong and bright,
Gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
Teach us wisdom; teach us love.
You were chosen by the Father.
You were chosen for the Son.
You were chosen from all women,
And for women, shining one.
Gentle woman, quiet light,
Morning star, so strong and bright,
Gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
Teach us wisdom; teach us love.
II. ENTRANCE PROCESSION AND UNVEILING OF THE MADONNA
III. INTRODUCTORY RITES (All Sing): CZARNA MADONNA--The Black Madonna
Jest zakątek na tej ziemi, Gdzie powracać każdy chce
Gdzie króluje Jej oblicze, Na Nim cięte rysy dwie
Wzrok ma smutny, zatroskany, Jakby chciała prosić cię
Byś w mat czyną, Jej opiekę oddał się
Refrain:
Madon-na, Czarna Madon-na; Jak dobrze Twym dzieckiem być
O pozwól, Czarna Ma-don-no; W ramiona Twoje się skryć
W Jej ramionach znajdziesz spokój, I uchronisz się, od zła
Bo dla wszystkich swoich dzieci Ona serce czułe ma
I opieką cię otoczy, Gdy Jej serce oddasz swe,
Gdy powtórzysz Jej z radością słowa te
Refrain
There’s a corner of a county which the pilgrims gladly seek.
Where in glory hangs a portrait of a Queen slashed on the cheek.
She is grieving she is caring, she invites us, everyone
I’m your Mother, be my daughter, be my son.
Refrain:
Madonna, Oh Black Madonna, I’m happy your child to be.
Oh grant me, Oh Black Madonna, that your arms may cradle me.
There’s a refuge, there’s a haven where God’s children wish to dwell,
On our Lady’s queenly features two deep cuts their story tell.
With demeanor sad dejected she appeals to you and me
In her Motherly protection wish to be
Refrain
In her arms you’ll find protection. She will shield you from all sin.
For to all her dearest children heartfelt feelings are within.
She’ll surround you with her care when you bestow your heart to her.
Just repeat with love and gladness these sweet words…
Refrain
When our lives are wrought with troubles where to go for a place to hide.
When but to our loving Mother she will keep us by her side.
We are pleading, O Madonna, to your children turn your gaze.
Hear our prayer when we are asking for better days.
Refrain
W Imię Ojca + i Syna i Ducha Świętego. Amen.
IV. PENETENTIAL RITE + GLORIA
V. LITURGY OF THE WORD
Old Testament Reading Song of Songs 1:5-7
I am as dark—but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem—As the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of
Salma. Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, because the sun has burned me. My brothers
have been angry with me; they charged me with the care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I
have not cared for.
Psalm 45:10-12, 16 Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir. Response: The queen…
Hear, Oh daughter and see; turn your ear, forge your people of your father’s house. Resp:
So shall the king desire your beauty; for he is your lord. Response: The queen..
They are borne in with gladness and joy; they enter the palace of the king. Response:
New Testament Reading
Revelations 11:19, 12:1-6A; 10 A B
God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a cross of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she
labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky, it was a huge red dragon, with
seven heads and ten horns, and on its head were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of
the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the
woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a
male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and
his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God,
that there she might be taken care of for twelve hundred and sixty days.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the
Kingdom of our God and the authority of His Anointed One. For the accuser of our brothers is
cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night.”
Alleluia and Gospel Acclamation Luke: 1:39-56
The Canticle of Mary—The Magnificat
Homily
Creed
General Intercessions
Response: Matko Boska, módl się za nami. (Our Lady, Pray for us.)
VI. LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Preparation of the Altar and Gifts
Solo: Beautiful Magnificent Star (Gwiazdo Silczna, Wspaniala)
Eucharistic Prayer Holy, Holy, Holy
Memorial Acclamation
Lord by Your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
You are the holy Savior of the World.
Great Amen
VII. COMMUNION RITE
The Lord’s Prayer
Ojcze Nasz (Our Father)
Ojcze nasz, któryś jest w Niebie, święć się Imię Twoje, przyjdź Królestwo Twoje, bądź
wola Twoja, jako w Niebie, tak i na ziemi, chleba naszego powszedniego daj nam dzisiaj
I odpuść nam nasze winy, jako i my odpuszczamy naszym winowajcom, i nie wódź nas
na pokuszenie, ale nas zbaw ode złego.
Sign of Peace
Agnus Dei
Communion Procession
(All Sing) Badzze Pozdrowiona Hostyo Zywa
(Hail to Thee, O Living Host)
Bądzże pozdrowiona, Hostyo żywa.
W której Jezus Chrystus Bóstwo ukrywa.
Refrain: Witaj Jezu, Synu Maryi. Tyś jest Bóg prawdziwy w świetej Hostyi.
Badzże pozdrowione drzewo żywota,
Niech kwitnie niewinność, anielska cnota. Refren: Witaj Jezu….
Badzże pozdrowiony Baranku Boży,
Zbaw nas, gdy miecz Pański na złych sie sroży. Refren: Witaj Jezu…
Badzże pozdrowiony Anielski Chlebie,
W tym tu Sakramencie wielbimy Ciebie. Refren: Witaj Jezu…
Badzże pozdrowiona swięta krynico,
Serce Przenajświetsze, Ty łask swiatnico. Refren: Witaj Jezu…
Badzże pozdrowiony Boski kapłanie
Przyjm nasze ofiary, usłysz błaganie! Refren: Witaj Jezu…
Badzże pozdrowiona żywa ofiaro,
Broń nas przed doczesną i wieczną karą. Refren: Witaj Jezu…
Badzże pozdrowiony dobry pasterzu,
Tys dał duszę Swoją za nas na krzyżu. Refren: Witaj Jezu
Badzże pozdrowiony wszechmocny Boże,
Już Cię kocham szczerze,, jak serce może. Refren: Witaj Jezu…
Jezu Bądź Ze Mną. (All Sing)
Jezu bądż ze mna. Jezu żyj we mnie. Jezu Twoj jestem, w życiu i przy śmierci. (3x)
Jesus be with me. Jesus live in me. Jesus I’m yours, in this life and at death. (3x)
Reflectional Hymn after Communion Solo: Ave Maria--Schubert
VIII.
IX.
X.
Blessing
Reveiling of Our Lady of Czestochowa—Fanfare—Madonna reveiled
Closing Song: My Chemy Boga—We Desire God, O Holy Virgin! (All sing)
Children and Knights process out. Congregation remains seated as presentation by
the Roccantis will take place in church immediately after the procession.
My chemy Boga! Panno Święta!
O usłysz naszych wołań głos! Miłości Bożej dzwigać pęta.
To nasza chluba, to nasz los. Błogosław slodka Pani!
Błogosław wszelki stan.
My chcemy Boga! My poddani.
On naszym Królem. O nasz Pan!
My chemy Boga! my poddani.
On naszym Królem. O nasz Pan!
My chcemy Boga w rodzin kole,
W troskach rodzicow, w dziatek snach;
My chemy Boga w książce, w szkole
W godzinach wytchnien, w pracy dniach.
XI.
My chemy Boga w wszelkim stanie,
Boga niech wielbi: szlachta, lud
Pan, czy robotnik, czy mieszczanie
Bogu niech niosą zycia trud.
My chcemy Boga w naszym kraju
Wsród starodawnych polskich strzech,
W polskim jezyku I zwyczaju
Niech Boga wielbi chrobry Lech.
My chemy Boga w każdej chwili,
I dziś I jutro—w szczęściu, w łzach
Czy nam się posiach niebo schyli,
Czy w gruzach legnie szczęścia gmach.
My chemy Boga! – Jego Prawo
Niech bedzie naszych czynów tchem
Byśmy umieli chętnie żwawo:
Obierać dobre, gardzić złem!
‘Sto Lat’ in honor of Alice Soboleski who is celebrating her 100th
birthday! Sto lat, sto lat, niech zyje zyje nam. Sto lat, sto lat, niech zyje zyje nam. Jeszcze raz, jeszcze raz, niech
zyje, zyje nam. Niech zyje nam! (Good luck, good cheer, may you live a hundred years. Good luck, good cheer, may you live a
hundred years. Good luck, good cheer, may you live a hundred years. One hundred years!)
XII.
Barbara and Ferdinand Roccanti
XIII. Final song as we adjourn: As I Kneel Before You 1. As I kneel before you;
As I bow my head in prayer; Take this day, make it yours, And fill me with your love. Refrain: Ave Maria! Gratia
Plena! Dominus Tecum, Benedicta tu! 2. All I have, I give you. Every dream and wish are yours. Mother of
Christ, Mother of mine, present them to my Lord. Refrain (above) 3. As I kneel before you; And I see your
smiling face, Every thought, every word, Is lost in your embrace. Refrain (above)
XIV. Potluck luncheon and sing-along follows at St. Patrick’s Social Hall
(in the lower level banquet hall) across the street from St. Hedwig’s.
Ballad to Our Lady of Czestochowa
Lady and Queen of Mystery manifold
And very Regent of the untroubled sky,
Whom in a dream St. Hilda did behold
And heard a woodland music passing by:
You shall receive me when the clouds are high
With evening and the sheep attain the fold.
This is the faith that I have held and hold.
And this is that in which I mean to die.
Steep are the seas and savaging and cold
In broken waters terrible to dry;
And vast against the winter night the world,
And harbourless for any sail to lie.
But you shall lead me to the lights, and I
Shall hymn you in a harbour story told.
This is the faith that I have held and hold,
And this is that in which I mean to die.
Help the half-defeated, House of Gold,
Shrine of the sword, and Tower of Ivory;
Splendour apart, supreme and aureoled,
The Battler's vision and the World's reply.
You shall restore me, O my last Ally,
To vengeance and the glories of the bold.
This is the faith that I have held and hold,
And this is that in which I mean to die.
--Hillaire Belloc
American astronaut Tom Jones quoted from this poem when he spoke of the awesomeness of space
travel at the 2009 Medjugorje Conference and how it opens one’s eyes to the wonder of God’s creation.
Hillaire Belloc an Anglo-French writer and historian (1870-1953) wrote this in 1928 when he visited the
shrine at Czestochowa and left behind the manuscript of this beautiful poem. Belloc's Roman
Catholicism was uncompromising. He believed that the Roman Catholic Church provided hearth and
home for the human spirit. More humorously, his tribute to Catholic culture can be understood from his
well-known saying, "Wherever the Catholic sun does shine, there's love and laughter and red wine."
Hilaire Belloc, coupled in memory always with his great friend G. K. Chesterton, made the defense of the
Faith the main business of his life.
Prayer to Our Lady of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska
(As a young child just after his mother died, Karol Woytyla’s dad walked with him to the Shrine of Our
Lady of Calvary and told him that She would now serve as his mother. As pope, John Paul II dedicated
this prayer to Her in 2002 when he visited the shrine once again.)
Grant, O Mother of Calvary, “that we may be one among ourselves and one with you.”
“Turn then, most gracious Advocate,
Thine eyes of mercy towards us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!”
Lady of graces, luck upon this people which for centuries has remained faithful to you and to your Son.
Look upon this nation, which has always placed its hope in your maternal love.
Turn your eyes of mercy towards us, obtain what your children most need.
Open the hearts of the prosperous to the needs of the poor and the suffering.
Enable the unemployed to find an employer. Help those who are poverty-stricken to find a home.
Grant families the love which makes it possible to surmount all difficulties.
Show young people a way and a horizon for the future. Cover children with the mantle of your
protection, lest they be scandalized.
Confirm religious communities with the grace of faith, hope, and love.
Grant that priests may follow in the footsteps of your Son by offering their lives each day for their sheep.
Obtain for Bishops the light of the Holy Spirit, so that they may guide this Church to the gates of your
Son’s Kingdom by a single straight path.
Most
Holy Mother, Our Lady of Calvary, obtain also for me strength in body and spirit, that I may carry out to
the end the mission given me by the Risen Lord.
To you I give back all the fruits of my life and my ministry; to you I entrust the future of the Church;
to you I entrust the future of the Church; to you I offer my nation; in you do I trust and once more to you
I declare:
Totus Tuus, Maria!
Totus tuus. Amen.
JOHN PAUL II
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska 19 August 2002
Hail Mary (Zdrowas Maryja)
Zdrowaś Maryja łaskś pelna. Pan z Tobą blogosla wionaś
Ty między niewia stami I błogoslawion owoc żywota Twego Jesus.
święta Maryjo Matko Boża módl się za nami grzesznymi
Teraz I w godzine śmierci naszej. Amen
Knights of the Immaculata, Act of Total Concecration
(Written by Saint Maximilian Kolbe)
O Immaculata, Queen of heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother,
God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, (Name) , a repentant sinner,
cast myself at your feet humbly, imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to
yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and
body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.
If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what
was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and, “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the
whole world.”
Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and
increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus
help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For
wherever you enter, you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is
through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
V. Allow me to praise you O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against your enemies.
Maximillian Kolbe was a Franciscan who dedicated himself to Mary accepting both purity and
martyrdom in a childhood vision of Her holding two crowns representing each and asking
which he would choose—the red crown of martyrdom or the white crown of purity. He gave
up his life for another as a prisoner at Auschwitz since the man was married and the father of
several children. He did so with the words, "I want to take this man’s place. I am a Catholic
Priest."
He died at the hands of the Nazis by an injection of carbolic acid.
We wish to express appreciation to the following people who worked so hard in preparing for and
participating in the celebrations this summer and last:
-Barbara and Ferdinand Roccanti—speakers at this year’s event.
-Father Bob Lengerich for suggesting the event to honor Our Lady and helping with the planning for
the Mass readings and music and composing the fanfare score. On his travels to Poland during Divine
Mercy week of 2008 with his mother, Sue, Fran Holmes, and other tourists from across the states, he
was touched by the reverence and drama provided for Our Lady at the Czestochowa shrine at Jasna
Gora.
-Andy Krizman—pianist/organist both years
-Pat Baylis—cantor and vocalist 2008
-Terry Engeman—timpani both years
-Jeff Wei—trumpeter 2008
-Charlotte Ford—vocalist
-Elizabeth Szmuc—vocalist 2008
-Craig Heitger—trumpet
-Tony Smerski—trumpet
-Spencer Higgins—pianist
-Bernie Randall—lector in 2008
- The Borek Family—Tom-help in coordinating, Jennifer--violin, Veronica—viola, and Blake-- cello
- Vocalists: Sister Rosemary Jurkowski, Stan Bikowski, Justine Kucharski, Sydney Higgins
-Martha Rupchock—harmonica
The Members of the Honor Guard of the Knights of Columbus who honor Our Lady by their presence:
J. R. Burger; Ray Sommer; Joseph Szalay; Richard Wasoski; Tom Lesniak; William Szajko, Rick
Alexander, Thomas Marvel; Mick Lindsdell; Dave Towner; William Raab; as well as the Derbiszewski
children who processed in native Polish dresses, and all others who joined in this year’s procession.
-Father Len Chrobot for his beautiful remarks last year about the history of the Polish settlement in
South Bend and about the character of the Poles, describing their self reliance, strong work ethic, and
devotion to faith, family, church, and community; and for allowing the event to be housed at St.
Hedwig Church, the oldest church in the area established by the Polish immigrants to South Bend.
-Mayor Steve Luecke who spoke at last year’s event about the South Bend’s association with
Czestochowa in the sister city program.
-Paul Grzeszczyk, sacristan of St. Hedwig Church for much encouragement and help in preparing the
church and making it available to us for rehearsal.
-The Rzeszutek family—Marie for much inspiration and help with suggestions, daughter-in-law Marie,
for the reading in Polish and dressing in native costume, and son Christopher as acolyte.
-Lou and Jim Ciesielski for encouragement, suggestions and help with proof reading of Polish.
-Margaret Derbiszewski for help in translations, proof reading of Polish, and helping with the musical
selections.
-Fran Holmes for preparation of the program and planning and organizing the event.
-Sue McFarland of Divine Mercy Gifts for providing the Novena in Honor of Our Lady of Czestochowa
leaflets.