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1 Historical Sketch St. Francis of Paola Parish. 75 Years of an Ethnic Parish (1900-1975) St. Francis of Paola Church, Ford City, PA, p. 3-27. CAP at Orchard Lake. It all began with a bapsm. More than a thousand years ago, Poland received Chrisanity of the Roman Rite through neighbor - ing Czechoslovakia. The historical fact of the bapsm of her first ruler, the Duke Mieszko, decided Poland's thousand-year future as a naon. Situated in the center of Europe as an outpost of culture and civilizaon, Poland (and Poles throughout the world) observed in 1966 the thousandth anniver - sary of her existence and development as a Catholic naon. Thus, Chrisanity shapes the desnies of naons and gives them historical direcon. Down through the centuries, the Cross of Christ, symbol of Chrisanity, survived on Polish soil from the moment it was first raised for veneraon in 966. Royal dynases followed one another to exncon, philosophic trends and polical structures rose and fell, alliances were forged and disrupted by animosies, social and economic structures underwent various changes. Only the reality of Poland's Chrisanity remained secure. To quote Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski, "Poland's fidelity to God, the Supreme Ponff, the Blessed Virgin, and the Cross, preserved the Church and her shepherds." Poland's fidelity expressed itself in filial aachment to Rome, the Holy See, and to the person of the Holy Father. So it was through the centuries. So it was at the me of the founding of the Parish of St. Francis of Paola at the turn of the tweneth century. Forty miles northwest of Pisburgh, near the train line going to Buffalo, New York, on the Allegheny River, lies the small town of Ford City in Pennsylvania. The Poles began to migrate to this city some years before 1900. Most of the Poles who seled in Ford City came from the southern part of paroned Poland known as Galicia, then a province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The religious life of the Poles in Ford City in the beginning was concentrated near the German church of St. Mary, because at that me neither the Poles nor any other Slavic group had their own parish church. Early in 1900, the well-known organizer of Polish parishes in western Pennsylvania, Father Wal¬ter Miskiewicz, pastor of Saint Adalbert Church in Pisburgh, began to organize the Poles in Ford City. The people expressed their desire for a parish by sending a peon to the Rt. Rev. Richard Phelan, Bishop of the Diocese of Pisburgh. The bishop gave his approval, and on January 31, 1900, four lots were purchased from the Pis- burgh Plate Glass Company of the State of Pennsylvania in Ford City in Armstrong County by Bishop Richard Phelan of the Diocese of Pisburgh for the congregaon of St. Francis of Paola. The prop-

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Historical Sketch St. Francis of Paola Parish. 75 Years of an Ethnic Parish (1900-1975) St. Francis of Paola Church, Ford City, PA, p. 3-27. CAP at Orchard Lake.

Itallbeganwithabaptism.Morethanathousandyearsago,PolandreceivedChristianityoftheRomanRitethroughneighbor-ingCzechoslovakia.Thehistoricalfactofthebaptismofherfirstruler,theDukeMieszko,decidedPoland'sthousand-yearfutureasanation.SituatedinthecenterofEuropeasanoutpostofcultureandcivilization,Poland(andPolesthroughouttheworld)observedin1966thethousandthanniver-saryofherexistenceanddevelopmentasaCatholicnation.Thus,Christianityshapesthedestiniesofnationsandgivesthemhistoricaldirection.Down through thecenturies, theCrossofChrist, symbolofChristianity, survivedonPolish soilfromthemomentitwasfirstraisedforvenerationin966.Royaldynastiesfollowedoneanothertoextinction,philosophictrendsandpoliticalstructuresroseandfell,allianceswereforgedanddisruptedbyanimosities, socialandeconomicstructuresunderwentvariouschanges.Only therealityof Poland'sChristianity remained secure. Toquote StefanCardinalWyszynski, "Poland'sfidelitytoGod,theSupremePontiff,theBlessedVirgin,andtheCross,preservedtheChurchandhershepherds."Poland'sfidelityexpresseditselfinfilialattachmenttoRome,theHolySee,andtothepersonoftheHolyFather.Soitwasthroughthecenturies.SoitwasatthetimeofthefoundingoftheParishofSt.FrancisofPaolaattheturnofthetwentiethcentury.FortymilesnorthwestofPittsburgh,nearthetrainlinegoingtoBuffalo,NewYork,ontheAlleghenyRiver,liesthesmalltownofFordCityinPennsylvania.ThePolesbegantomigratetothiscitysomeyearsbefore1900.MostofthePoleswhosettledinFordCitycamefromthesouthernpartofpartitionedPolandknownasGalicia,thenaprovinceoftheAustro-HungarianEmpire.ThereligiouslifeofthePolesinFordCityinthebeginningwasconcentratedneartheGermanchurchofSt.Mary,becauseatthattimeneitherthePolesnoranyotherSlavicgrouphadtheirownparishchurch. Early in 1900, the well-known organizer of Polish parishes in western Pennsylvania, Father Wal¬terMiskiewicz,pastorofSaintAdalbertChurchinPittsburgh,begantoorganizethePolesinFordCity.ThepeopleexpressedtheirdesireforaparishbysendingapetitiontotheRt.Rev.RichardPhelan,BishopoftheDioceseofPittsburgh.Thebishopgavehisapproval,andonJanuary31,1900,fourlotswerepurchasedfromthePitts-burghPlateGlassCompanyoftheStateofPennsylvaniainFordCityinArmstrongCountybyBishopRichardPhelanoftheDioceseofPittsburghforthecongregationofSt.FrancisofPaola.Theprop-

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ertyforthechurchwaslocatedatthesoutheastcornerofEighthStreetandFifthAvenue.Thelotspurchasedin1900werenumbered1003,1005,1007,and1009intheFordCityplanandlaidoutbythePittsburghPlateGlassCompanyinthe1800's.Allthelotshadatwenty-fivefootfrontageonFifthAvenuewithacombinedareaofapproximatelyone-halfacre.Thefourlotscost$840.00whichwaspaidonMarch3,1900,toA.Pitcarin,vice-presidentofthePittsburghPlateGlassandwitnessedbyWilliamJ.CarsonasnotarizedbyC.W.Brown.Encouragedbythisfavorableturnofevents,themembersofthecongregationbegananintensivehouse-to-housecollectiontoraisefundssothatworkmightstartatonceonabuildingwhichwouldserveasapermanentchurch.Eachmemberwasaskedtogive$25.00towardstheproject.Withinseveralmonths$2,500.00wascollectedandworkonanewchurchwasbegunbytheHeilmanCon-structionCompany.ThiswasdoneupontheadviceofFatherMiskiewicz.Thechurchwaswoodenandlaterwasusedasaparochialschool.Thepeoplenotonlysuppliedthefinances,buttheyalsoworkedwiththeirhandstosaveconstructioncosts.Afterahardday'swork,theygatheredatthesitetopreparethesoilforthechurchfoundation.InJune,1900,FatherWalterMiskiewiczofPittsburghlaidthecornerstoneforthenewwoodenchurch.InNovemberofthatsameyear,thechurchwasdedicatedbyadelegateofBishopPhelan.Thecongregationatthetimeofitsinceptionconsistedofthirtyfamiliesand200unmarriedpersons.Theparishbeganasamixedcongregation,becauseitconsistednotonlyofPolesbutofSlovaksand Ukrainians as well. Father Francis Miskiewicz, the brother of the organizer of the parish, was assignedasthefirstresidentpastorinApril,1900.Thechurchwasnamedafterthepatronsaintofthefirstpastor,SaintFrancisofPaola.OnApril25,1900,thefirstMasswascelebrated.ThefirstchildtobebaptizedatSt.FrancisofPaolaChurchwasMaryannaMatawa,daughterofJacobMata-waandTheresaPastorekMatawa.ThegodparentswereFrancisSpornyandCarolineTomasiewicz.MaryannawasbornonMay8,1900,andbaptizedonMay20,1900.Thesacramentwasadmi- nisteredbyFatherFrancisMiskiewicz.ThefirstmarriageperformedinthechurchwasthatofPaulKwiatkowskiandMaryannaKrolicki.ThemarriagetookplaceonMay19,1900withAndrewDynkoandJuliannaHerczaaswitnesses.FatherFrancisMiskiewiczperformedtheceremony.Thefirstdeathwasthatofathree-montholdinfant,FrancisSporny,whodiedofpneumoniaonNovember9,1900,andwasburiedNovember10,1900,inSt.MaryCemetery,Kittanning,Pennsylvania.Thefirstchurchcommittee,namedinApril,1900,consistedofMichaelWajs,secretary,JohnRolnicki,MichaelKrupianik,JohnSzul,StephenMermer,andGregoryOdrzechowski.Withtherapidgrowthofthecongregation,theneed'forsocialactivityarose.In1903,itwasdecidedtoenlargethechurchstructureandfinishoffthebasementforthispurpose.Toraisethenecessaryfunds for thisundertaking,aBrother fromanunknownmonastery,AlexanderDubois, solicitedcontributionsfrommembersoftheparishandfromPolesinotherlocalities.Ononeoccasion,helefttheparishtomakeavisittoNewJerseyandwhiletherehedied.WhenFatherMiskiewiczwenttothebank,hewasunabletowithdrawthemoneybecauseallofitwasdepositedinthenameofDubois,whohaddied.ThesecondsigneewasaSlovakfromTerreHaute,Indiana.Nooneun-der¬stoodthesituation,butthechurchlostover$1,700.00intheFirstNationalBankofFordCity.In1904,twoadditionallotswerepurchased,numbers999and1001,likewiselaidoutbythePitts-burghPlateGlassCompanyinthe1800's.Thetwolotscost$800.00.ThiswaspaidonApril13,1904,toVice-presidentA.Pitcarin,witnessedbyWilliamJ.CarsonasnotarizedbyC.W.Brown.

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Inthesummerofthesameyear,plansweredrawnupfortheerectionofatwo-storypastoralres-idence.WilliamSchiffgenswasentrustedwiththetaskofbuildingtherectoryfor$3,263.00.ThisbuildingwasstartedandcompletedduringthepastorateofFatherIgnatiusOstraszewski.InSeptember,1904,thesumof$6,000.00wasborrowedfromtheArmstrongCountyTrustinKit-tanningtomeettheexpenseofraisingthechurch.WilliamDetwillerwasawardedthecontractofraisingthechurchandinstallingafinishedbasementundertheedifice.Thechurchwaselevatedsomefourfeetandsupportedfirmlyonaconcretefoundationandthenbrickveneered.OnDecember20,1904,BishopRichardPhelandied.HissuccessorwasBishopJ.F.RegisCanevin.In1905,thechurchandtherectorysustaineddamagefromthebigfloodofthatyear.InSeptember,1913,afirebrokeoutinoneofhesacristiesandinflictedmoredamage.Thedamagewascoveredbyfireinsurancetotheextentof$3,350.00.FatherThaddeusSiateckiwaspastoratthetimeofthedisaster.Heimmediatelyproceededtorestorethedamagecausedbythefire.Theentiresanctuarywasrebuilt.ThetinroofwasreplacedbytheRubberRoofingCompanyofPittsburgh.FatherJulianLuniewski,whoservedtheparishfromSeptember2,1914,untilhisdeathMarch4,1925,paidofftheparishdebtof$2,500.00,installedanewpipeorganfor$3,000.00(dedicatedonSunday,February12,1922)andaddedthreeroomstotherectory.FatherJulianLuniewskiisburiedinHolyTrinityCemetery,FordCity.OnNovember26,1920,theMostRev.J.F.RegisCanevinresignedasBishopofPittsburghandwassucceededbytheMostReverendHughC.Boyle,whowasconsecratedonJune29,1921.FatherLeoChrzanowski,whosucceededFatherJulianLuniewski,servedthecongregationaspastorthelongestinitsseventy-fiveyearhistory.Hewaspastorfornineteenyears.Duringhispastorate,improvements,physicalaswellasspiritual,weremadeintheparish.FatherLeoChrzanowskialsoservedaspastorofSaintLawrenceChurchinCadogan,Pennsylvania,whichwasamissionofSt.FrancisofPaolaParish.OnMay27,1926,theMostReverendBishopHughC.Boylecametotheparishtoconferthesacramentofconfirmationforthefirsttimeinthechurch'shistory;135childrenandadultswereconfirmed.ThesecondconfirmationwasheldonApril11,1932,when228youngmenandwomenwereconfirmed;thethird,onMay14,1940,when206individualsreceivedconfirmation.FatherLeoChrzanowskidiedonMay14,1944,andwasburiedinHolyTrinityCemetery,FordCity.Thenextpastor,FatherVincentKukleski,servedtheparishfromJune1,1944,untilApril26,1945.Hestartedtwoneworganizationsintheparish:TheSodalityofOurLady(whichwasinexistencearelativelyshorttime)andtheHolyNameSociety(whichattractedmanymembersbuteventuallysufferedadecline).DuringWorldWarII,160youngmenandwomenoftheparishservedwiththearmedforces.Threediedintheservice:DominicGolab,PaulZydonik,andAnthonyBalabazer.TheeighteenthpastorwasFatherStanislausAnuskiewicz,whoservedfromApril26,1945,untilhisdeathJuly28,1948.HewasfollowedbyFatherFrancisLizik,whopastoredforfourteenyears,fromAugust19,1948,untilJune26,1962.Duringhistime,theparishwasalmostcompletelyren-ovated,bothspirituallyandphysically.OnApril29,1949,confirmationwasadministeredtoeightyyoungmenandwomenbytheCoadjutor-BishopofPittsburgh(andpresentCardinal-ArchbishopofDetroit)JohnF.Dearden.In1950thechurchwascompletelyremodeledforthegoldenjubilee.Theinteriorwasrefurnishedandren¬ovated,whiletheexteriorwasstrengthenedwithmortarandcement.Therenovationcost$20,000.00.OnSunday,September20,1950,theparishcelebrateditsgoldenjubileewithaPontificalMassofferedbyBishopJohnF.Dearden,CoadjutoroftheDioceseof

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Pittsburgh.TheanniversaryoccurredduringthethirdHolyYearoftheparish'sexistenceandduringthepontificateofPopePiusXII.AbanquetconcludedthecelebrationattheFordCityArmory.ThepioneermembersofthechurchthenincludedAntoninaSzul,SophieKissick,JosephineTrop,MaryElger, and Mr. and Mrs. Philip Stapinski.Duringtheprecedingfifty-yearperiodatotalof1,585baptisms,406funerals,and416marriageswere conducted in the church.OnDecember22,1950,Bishop,HughC.BoyleofPittsburghdied,andtheMostReverendJohnF.DeardensucceededtotheseeonDecember22,1950.OnMarch10,1951,theDioceseofGreensburgwasestablishedbydivisionfromtheDioceseofPittsburgh,comprisingthecountiesofArmstrong(inwhichSt.FrancisofPaolaParishislocated),Fayette,Indiana,andWestmorelandintheStateofPennsylvania,withatotalpopulationof682,776.ThefirstOrdinarywasBishopHughL.Lamb;hewasappointedtoGreensburgonMay28,1951,butwasnotinstalleduntilJanuary16,1952.In1954,theparishboughtaten-acretractalongRoute128inSouthBuffaloTownshiptobeusedforacemetery.Thetractoflandcost$6,000.00.In1959,thefrontagealongRoute128waschangedbecauseoftherelocationofthehighway,andthefrontagewasmodifiedasdescribedinDeedBook450,page127.TheDepartmentofHighwaysoftheStateofPennsylvaniapaidthechurch$16,500.00fortheproperty.Thedrawingwaspreparedinaccordancewithrecentdiocesanrequirements.Thecemeterymapwascompiledfromdeedrecordsandmaps.OnApril28,1954,BishopHughLambvisitedtheparishchurchtoconferthesacramentofconfirmationoneightypersons.OnApril8,1957,BishopLambconfirmedsixty-eightindividuals.BishopLambdiedonDecember8,1959.OnFebruary23,1960,MonsignorWilliamG.ConnareoftheDioceseofPitts-burghwasappointedthesecondBishopoftheDioceseofGreensburg.HisconsecrationwasheldinBlessedSacramentCathedral,Greensburg,Pennsylvania,onMay4,1960.OnOctober9,1958,PopePiusXIIdied.OnOctober28,1958,AngeloGiuseppeRoncalliwaselectedPopeandtookthenameofPopeJohnXXIII.OnApril21,1961,BishopWilliamG.ConnarecametoSt.FrancisofPaolaChurchtoconferthesac-ramentofconfirmationon100youngmenandwomen.FatherFrancisLizikwastransferredfromthisparishtoSt.JohntheEvangelistinLatrobe,Pennsylvania,onJune26,1962.FatherBronislausMieruniskicamefromSt.JohntheEvangelistinLatrobetobethepastorofSt.FrancisofPaola.HewaspastorfromJune26,1962,untilhisdeathAugust3,1971.Hewasakindlyoldpriest,involvedinmanyactivitiesintheparish."FatherJohn"(ashewasknown)hadneverplayedsportsinhislife,buthecoachedbasketballandbaseballteams.Enthusiasticaboutchildren,hewasinstrumentalinspurringinterestinyouthactivities.Inrecognitionforhispastoralservices,FatherMieruniskiwasnamedadomesticprelateonFebruary6,1971,theonlypastorofSt.FrancisofPaolaParishtobecomeamonsignor.FourteenmonthsbeforeFatherMieruniskidied,BishopWilliamG.Connareappointedapriesttoassisthim,FatherFrancisLesniowski,whoremaineduntilthepastor'sdeath.FatherMieruniskiservedtheparishthroughtheeventfuldaysoftheSecondVaticanCouncil,whichwascalledbyPopeJohnXXIIIonOctober11,1962,andconcludedbyPopePaulVIonDecember8,1965.OnJune3,1963,PopeJohnXXIIIdied,andonJuly21,1963,CardinalGiovanniBattistaMontinibecamePopePaulVI.HecontinuedtheCouncilandbroughtittoanendthreeyearslater.FatherMieruniskiimplementedtheCouncil'sdecreesintheparishtothebestofhisability,especiallytheConstitutionon the Sacred Liturgy. The altar was reversed to face the people, lectors were incorporated into the

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liturgy,andthelaitytookamoreactivepartinthesingingoftheliturgy.FatherFrancisLesniowskiwasagreathelptoMonsignorMieruniskiinhisoldage.Heassumedresponsibilityforconductingtheaffairsoftheparish.Acharismaticgroupbegantofunctionunderhisdirection.Hewasalsoinvolvedinecumenicalaffairsinthecommunity.Hebroughtthemem-bersoftheparishcommunityclosertogether.Duringhispastorate,threeseminariansservedattheparish:twoweredeaconsandoneseminarian—Rev.Mr.JohnButler,Rev.Mr.RudolphKoser,andDennisDellamalva.Theyhelpedinthecensus,thevisitationofthesick,theadministrationofthesacraments,andtheworkwiththeyouthunderFatherFrancisLesniowski'sdirection.OnMay29,1974,FatherMichaelR.Dylagwasassignedasthetwenty-secondpastorintheparish'shistory,intheseventy-fourthyearofitsexistence.Shortlyafterhisarrival,FatherDylagcarriedouttheintentionsofthepeopletorenovatethechurchaccordingtothedirectivesoftheSecondVaticanCouncilandinpreparationfortheparish'sdiamondjubilee.

CHURCHARCHITECTUREANDDECORATIONSSt.FrancisofPaolaChurch isaparishchurch.Yetarchitecturallyanddecoratively, it containscertaindistinctivefeaturesthatmakeitartisticallyoneofthemoreinterestingchurchesintheDioceseofGreensburg.Thechurch'sexteriorissimpleinarchitecture.ThereisatouchoftheGothicrevivalofthelate1800'sinitsarchedwindowsanddoors,itsrosewindowabovethemainentrance,itsmasonrybuttresses,anditssixty-sixfoothighbelltower.Simplicitycharacterizestheinside.ThearchesseparatingthenavefromthesanctuaryandthegabledceilingalsoreflectthesimplerformoftheGothicrevival.Thealtarofsacrificeisthecenterofinterestandthepivotofattentioninthecongregation.TheeyesoftheworshiperstravelnaturallyandunimpededtotheliturgicalactioncelebratingthedeathandresurrectionoftheLord.Thealtarnowismuchsimplerandclearlyvisibleastheplaceofsacrificeandatableforthesacramentalmeal.Thearchitectureofthechurchandthedesignofthesanctuaryrevealtheprimaryimportanceofthealtar,whichisasymbolofChristinredemptiveaction.Thus,thearchitectureandthefurnish-ingsarepartofthesacramentalsign.Theyareaspatialextensionoftheritualaction,thecentralsacramentalsignwhichcommunicatesitsmeaningtothepeople.ThecrucifixbehindthealtarisprimarilyMexicaninconceptwithSpanishattributes.Itmeasuresaboutsevenandahalffeetinheight.Realisticincolor,itcomesfromSalamanca,Mexico.Itisestimatedtobefromtheseventeenthcentury.ColonialartpiecesarestrictlyforbiddentobetakenoutofMexicoatthepresenttime.ExportsofthiskindwerehaltedbytheMexicangovernmentaboutfiveyearsago.Thisisararepiece.Totherightofthesanctuary,hangsapaintingofOurLadyofCzęstochowa.ThehistoryofthepictureofOurLadyofCzęstochowaisshroudedinlegendandtradition.LegendclaimsSt.LuketheEvangelistasthepainterofthispicture.HeissaidtohavepainteditonacypresstabletopfromtheNazarethhouse.TheimageportraystheHolyMotherpensiveinsuffering,withdeepsorrowreflectedinhereyesandshadowedbrow.Intheyear326St.Helen,themotherofConstantinetheGreat,isreportedtohavelocatedthepictureinJerusalem.Withacollectionofotherrelics,sheissaidtohavebroughtittoConstantinople,whereitremainedforseveralcenturiesveneratedbytheemperor'sfamily.AspartofthedowryinamarriagebetweentheroyalfamiliesofConstan-

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tinopleandKiev,thepicturereachedsouthernPoland.Ladislaus,PrinceofOpoleandregentforLouistheGreatinPoland,foundthepictureinthecastleofBelzduringawarwiththeRuthenianlords.SeekingabetterplacefortheiconoftheBlessedMother,hebroughtittoCzęstochowa,asmalltownincentralPoland.Toprotectthepicture,Ladislaus,in1382,invitedtoPolandfromHungarymembersoftheOrderofSt.PaultheFirstHermit,knownasthePaulineFathers.SciencetracestheoriginofthepicturetothefifthorsixthcenturyA.D.ThepictureisoneoftheoldestimagesoftheBlessedVirgin.Thedarkcoloringonthefacesandhandsischaracteristicofpicturespainted during this period.Six hundred years ago the Pauline Fathers were entrusted with guarding the picture of Our Lady ofCzęstochowa.Undertheirdirection,theShrineatCzęstochowabecameoneofthelargestintheworld.Overtwomillionpilgrimsvisititannually.ThescarsonthefaceoftheBlessedVirginarefrom1430,whenbandits,wantingtostealthepicture,struckitwithasword.JosephJankowski,aClevelandartist,paintedthecopyoftheCzęstochowaMadonnainSt.FrancisChurch.Hisreligiouspaintingsspanaperiodofthirty-fiveyearsandgracemanychurchesandsynagogues.Hisworkshavewonnineteennationalawardsandcanbefoundinmanymuseumsand inuniversity,public,andprivateAmericancollections.Hisworksarealso incollections inEngland,Denmark,Italy,andMexico.ProfessorJankowskicurrentlyteachesadvancedpaintingattheClevelandInstituteofArt;heformerlytaughtattheUniversityofAlabama,theUniversityofTennesseeandNotreDameCollege.Hisworksincludeceramicmurals,paintings,enamels,anddrawings.HecreatedthepaintingofOurLadyofOrchardLake,paintedOurLadyofVladimirfortheDioceseofCleveland,andOurLadyofGuadalupeforaconventinSteubenville.ThepaintingwhichhangsinthesanctuaryofSt.FrancisChurchisanexactcopyofthepictureinthefamousmonasteryofthePaulineFathersinCzęstochowa,Poland.ItwasgivenbyElizabethPechaninmemoryofhermother,ClaraTenerowicz.ThispaintingoftheMadonnawaschosenforoursanctuarybecausesheistheQueenofPoland,fromwherecomestheheritageoftheparish.Thealtarofreservation,orthechapeloftheBlessedSacrament,istotheleftofthesanctuary.ThetabernacleandtheBlessedSacramentshrinearedesignedforprivateprayeroutsideofliturgicalworship,thatis,attimesotherthantheMass.TheMass,nowcelebratedatthealtarofsacrifice,isthefocusofattention.TheactionoftheMassiscentralandcallsforthefull,conscious,andactiveparticipationofallpresentundertheleadershipofthepriestcelebrant.PopePiusXinitiateddevotionalchangesatthebeginningofthecentury,whenheintroducedandurgedfrequentcommunion.Evenafterthat,however,theMassforsomeremainedonlyameansandanopportunityforreceivingcommunion,asmayberecalledfromthecustomofreceivingcommunionoutsidetheMass.PopePiusXalsobeganhispastoralanddoctrinalrehabilitationoftheMass,whenhecoinedtheslogan,"PraytheMass"(ratherthan,prayatMass).AttentionwasthusshiftedtotheMassaction;andthisincreasedtheCatholicuseofmissals.TheclimaxofthismovementcamewiththeSecondVaticanCouncil,whichstated(againafterPopePiusX)thattheliturgy(andpreeminentlytheEucharisticsacrifice)isthe"primaryandin-dispensablesourceofthetrueChristianspirit."Inexplanationofthisstatement,theFathersoftheCouncilmadetwocloselyrelateddoctrinalpronouncements.First,JesusChristachievedHistaskof"redeemingmankindandgivingperfectglorytoGod...principallybythepaschalmystery

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ofHisblessedpassion,resurrectionfromthedead,andgloriousascension,wherebydying,Hede¬stroyedourdeath,andrising,Herestoredourlife."Second,itisintheliturgy,andpreciselyintheEucharisticsacrifice,thatwecelebrateandperpetuallyrenewthispaschalmysteryoftheLord'sdeathandresurrection."Fortheliturgy,throughwhichtheworkofourredemptionisac-complished,mostofallinthelivingsacrificeoftheEucharist,istheoutstandingmeanswherebythefaithfulmayexpressintheirlives,andmanifesttoothers,themysteryofChristandtherealnatureoftheChurch."InaninsightasoldasSt.Paul(whospokeofthe"themysteryofChrist")andthecrucifixionitself,theFathersofVaticanIIaffirmedthefullnessofEucharisticmeaning,centeredonthesacramentalrenewaloftheLord'sdeathandresurrection.Communionitselfisthefruitofthissacrifice(andshould be received as its fruit), while the Lord's presence in the tabernacle is also its product. On the window sill of the window near the tabernacle, under the stained glass window of St. Francis ofPaola,isareliquarycontainingarelicofSt.FrancisofPaola.ItwasdonatedbyReginaMolskyinmemoryofherparents,FrancisandAnastasiaSporny.Thepulpitisprominentinthesanctuary.Beautifulinform,itsymbolizesthethroneofGod'sword.ThepulpitwasdonatedbyStanislausSzalankiewicztwenty-fiveyearsagoinmemoryofhisparents,FrancisandKatherineSzalankiewicz.Removedfromthesanctuaryabouttenyearsago,thepulpitwasreturnedtoitsformerlocationatthetimeoftherenovation.To the right of the church, near the sanctuary, at the side entrance, hangs a drawing of St. Francis ofPaoladonebyRalphWoehrmanofCleveland,Ohio.Thedrawingisacombinationofacrylicpaint,pencil,andindiaink.Theartistalternatedwiththethreemediaashefashionedthedraw-ing.Hissketchisbasedonresearchandstudyoftheexistingportraitsofthesaintbysomeoftheworld'sgreatpainters—Goya,Murillo,Tiepolo,Velasquez,andothers.ThecompletedportraitisacompositeoftheavailableimagesofSt.FrancisofPaola.ThedrawinghasbeendonatedinmemoryofAnthonyandKatherineTropbytheirdaughter,EleanorTrop.ThepeopleofSt.FrancisofPaolaParisharejustifiablyproudoftheirchurchbuilding.Withitsdistinctivearchitectureanditsartisticdecorations,itistrulyoneoftheecclesiasticaljewelsinthediocesancrownofGreensburg.

PERSONNELOFPARISH-THEPRIESTSDuringthefirstfifteenyearsofSt.FrancisofPaolaParish'sexistence,thirteenpriestssuccessivelyservedthechurch.Duringthelastsixtyyears,onlyninepastorsministeredintheparishdespitethefourtimeslongerspanoftime.Thetwenty-twopriestswhowerepastorsofSt.FrancisofPaolaParishduringtheseventy-fiveyearsfrom1900to1975include:Francis Miskiewicz April 1900 - Sept. 29,1901 (Thentwomonthswithoutapriest)AndrewDziatkowiec November17,1901—March2,1902 (Fourmonthswithoutapriest)JosephGalewski June29,1902-October5,1902 (Onemonthwithoutapriest)StanislausJastrzembski November2,1902-April12,1903JohnMachnikowski April25,1903-November21,1903

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(Twomonthswithoutapriest)IgnatiusOstaszewski January9,1904-March19,1905AndrewDziatkowiec April9,1905-March1,1906JohnAdamowski March11,1906—November4,1906 (Onemonthwithoutapriest)AnthonyGracik(Slovak) December15,1906-July28,1907Jacob Kulla August 11, 1907 - February 15,1909 (Sevenmonthswithoutapriest)AdamSzymkiewicz October5,1909-February3,1910 (Twomonthswithoutapriest)LadislausStec April1,1910-September5,1911 (Threemonthswithoutapriest)ThaddeusSiatecki November30,1911—September2,1914JulianLuniewski September2,1914—March4,1925GeorgeAmend February24,1925-April30,1925LeoChrzanowski May1,1925-May14,1944VincentKukleski June1,1944-April26,1945StanislausAnuszkiewicz April26,1945-July28,1948FrancisLizik August19,1948-June26,1962BronislausMieruniski June26,1962-August3,1971FrancisLesniowski(assistant) June24,1970-June26,1971FrancisLesniowski August10,1971-May29,1974MichaelR.Dylag May29,1974Since itsorganization, theparishhashadtwenty-threepriests (including theorganizer,FatherWalterMiskiewicz).TheonlyassistantwasFatherFrancisLesniowski,wholaterservedaspastor.TheparishalsohadoneMonsignor,BronislausMieruniski.

THEPARISHCOUNCILTheparishcouncilofSt.FrancisofPaolaParishhelditsfirstmeetingonOctober20,1970,intherectory.FatherBronislausMieruniski,pastor,andFatherFrancisLesniowski,assistantpastor,werepresent.ThecouncilmemberswereelectedbytheparishionersofSt.FrancisofPaolaChurch.Menandwomenservedascouncilmembers.Eighteenwereinattendanceandelectedtheseofficers:JohnPlacha,president;CeciliaNimerosky,vice-president;andLauraElger,secretary.Thecouncilorganizedfourstandingcommittees:financeandmaintenance,social,liturgical,andeducation.ThefirstmeetingdiscussedthepracticeofSaturdayeveningMasses,whichwasapproved.ThefirstSaturdayeveningMasswasthenheldonNovember28,1970,at7P.M.Regularcouncilmeetingsareheldeverythreemonths.AHighSchoolYouthcommitteewaslaterformed,andtheseofficerswereelected:JohnHudak,Jr.,president;LeonardWojton,Jr.,vice-president;andEileenCieply,secretary.The officers of the 1975 Parish Council are: ValentineWojton, president;Walter Tenerowicz,vice-president;andElizabethPechan,secretary.

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VOCATIONSInitsseventy-fiveyearsofexistence,St.FrancisofPaolaParishhashadtwoparishionersordainedtothepriesthood.ThefirstwasFatherJohnSmolen,ordainedJune28,1928.HewasbornSep-tember19,1904,ofAdalbertSmolenandJuliaObrene.ThesecondwasFatherLadislausIsidoreSzymanski,sonofMaryOrchowskaSzymanskiandthelateKonstantySzymanski.AmemberoftheFranciscanOrder,hewasordainedonMay13,1945,andcelebratedhisfirstsolemnHighMass,Sunday,May20,1945,inSt.FrancisofPaolaChurch.TheonlyfemalevocationtothereligiouslifeisSisterMaryJohnCookoftheSistersoftheHolyGhost.SheisthedaughterofJohnCookandSophieRitrosky.

CULTURE,TRADITION,CUSTOMSAnintelligentpersonisonewithknowledgeofhispersonalrelationshiptothepastandtothefuture,tothenationofwhichheisnowapart,andtothenationornationsfromwhichhisforefa-thersdescended.Withoutsuchknowledge,heisunabletounderstandfullyhimself,hischaracter,hisenvironment,andhisplaceintheworldatlarge.ThecurrentbicentennialAmericaninterestinthe past of its inhabitants, in the lands of their origin and their peoples, in the forebears of their friendsandrelatives-in-lawisanencouragingjignofintellectualandculturalmaturity.Fornearlytwohundredyears,non-Anglo-Saxon"foreigners"wereoftenfrownedupon,sometimesdespisedandcondemned.Asaresult,manyimmigrantsandtheirdescendantswereledtodespiseandcondemntheirentireEuropeanor"foreign"culturalheritage,wheninrealitytheyshouldhavedespisedandcondemnedonlythatintheir"foreign"heritagewhichwasworthyofcondemnationandrejection.ThistragicAmericanbiasagainstretaininganything"foreign"hasharmedAmerica,forithasdepriveditofmuchbeautyandvalue.Civilization,culture,andtraditiondonotcomeintobeingoutofnothing;theyaretheoutgrowthofadynamicprocessofevolution.

1.CULTURALTRADITIONSEveryimmigrantcomingtoAmericabroughtwithhimhisnativeculture,customs,andtraditions.Byretainingtheminhisdailylife,hegavethelandofhisadoptionanopportunitytoadoptandincorporateintoitsowndevelopingculturethebestofhispossessions.Noonecultureshoulddictatetoanother;noonecultureshouldforbidanothertocontributesomethingofitsown;noonecultureshouldblocktheeffortsmadebyotherstoenrichthisgreatAmericanland.Non-Anglo-SaxonimmigrantsmakenodemandsuponAnglo-Saxonlargesse.Instead,theywanttogivesomethingtoAmerica.Theywanttosharewhattothemistrue,good,andbeautifulwithallAmericans.ThepresentreawakeningofethnicinterestamongvariousgroupshasmuchtooffertoAmerica,whichhasoftenthoughtlesslyandlamentablybrokentieswitholdtraditions.Childreninmanycasesneverhearthesoundofthelanguageinwhichtheirparentswerelulledtosleep.Evenadultshavenoappreciationfororinsightintothelivesandcharactersoftheirforebearsoftwoorthreegenerationsago.Letthefollowingexcerptsfromseveralsourcesfurtherilluminatetheviewsexpressedabove.

"TheChurchofChrist,thefaithfuldepositoryoftheteachingofDivineWisdom,cannotanddoesnotthinkofdeprecatingordisdainingtheparticularcharacteristicswhicheachpeople,withjealousandintelligiblepride,cherishesandretainsasapreciousheritage.Heraimisa

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supernaturalunioninallembracinglove,deeplyfeltandpracticed,andnottheunitywhichisexclusivelyexternalandsuperficialandbythatveryfactweak.TheChurchhailswithjoyandfollowswithhermaternalblessingeverymethodofguidanceandcarewhichaimsatawiseandorderlyevolutionofparticularforcesandtendencieshavingtheiroriginintheindividualcharacterofeachrace,providedthattheyarenotopposedtothedutiesincumbentonmenfromtheirunityoforiginandcommondestiny."PiusXII,Summi Pontificatus.

"TheCatholicChurch,accordingtoacomparisonofBenson,islikeagreatcathedral,whichshel-tersunderoneextensiveroofagreatvarietyofsmallchurchesandchapels.Itisoneanduniversalwherevermenacknowledgemembershipinit,professthesametruthsoffaith,submittothesamehierarchy,andreceiveessentiallythesamesacraments.ButtheChurch,thoughithasendswhichtranscendtimeandnationality, isalsoa livingorganismwhichlivesandwagesbattleonearth,immersedinthevortexofhistory,builtbyindividualsandnations.TheChurchdoesnotlimititselftopreachingeternaltruths;itcreatedandcreatesitsownculture.AndthatiswhythereisintheChurchnotonlyonecommonfoundationandoneflighttotheheavens,but,consistentwiththeoriginalcomparisonsmadetotheGothiccathedral,alsomanyvariedchapels,differinginasmanyvariedformsasthespiritinkeepingwithfaith,sacramentsandhierarchycancreate."Forexample,thereareintheChurchmanyschoolsofthought,manysystemsofspiritualityandmanystylesnotonlyofarchitecturebutalsoofprayer.Itisnowonder,then,thattheCatholicfaithembracesandintegratesthesevariousnationalchapels.Thenationhasbeenformanyagesthatgroupwhichhasmostintenselyinfluencedandmoldedthelifeofitspeople,impressingitsstampontheirthought,cultureandcustom.Itwouldbestrange,indeed,ifthenationdidnotalsoleaveitsmarkonreligioninallitsvariegatedaspectsofrelationshiptoGodandneighbor.Itisanincon-trovertiblefactthatCatholicismintegratesinitselfavarietyofmanynations,thoughts,prayersandcustoms."IwouldfurtherclaimthattheCatholicconceptofculturehasnothingincommonwiththeall-lev-elingtrickle.Itisbasedontheidealharmonyofhundredsofculturesandtheirlocaldifferences.TheChurchisnotthe"corpuspoliticum"ofHobbes,composedofidenticalatoms,butanorganicwholeblendinginonefaithandunderonespiritualauthorityanunlimitedvarietyofnuances,thesumbodyandinterrelationofwhichcreatestheonenessandgreatnessofthewhole.Thatiswhy,parentheticallyspeaking,wherevertheCatholicChurchexercisestrueruleoversouls,itisthenmorethananyotheratrueChurchofthatcountryinthetruestandfullestmeaningofthewords."I.M.Bochenski,O.P.,SzkiceEtyczne"InourownAmericancommunitywehavesoughttosubmergealloftheoldhatreds,alltheoldfears,oftheoldworld.WeareAnglo-SaxonandLatin,weareIrishandTeutonandJewishandScandinavianandSlav—weareAmericans.Webelongtomanyracesandcolorsandcreeds—weareAmerican."FranklinD.RooseveltAddressdeliveredinBoston,Mass.,Oct.30,1940

"Americaisalandofbutonepeople,gatheredfrommanycountries.Somecameforloveofmoneyandsomeforloveoffreedom.Whateverthelurethatbroughtus,eachhashisgift,IrishladandScot,EnglishmanandDutch,Italian,Greek,FrenchandSpaniard,Slav,Teuton,Norse,Negro—allhavecomewiththeirgiftsandhavelaidthemontheAltarofAmerica."Allbroughttheirmusic-dirgeanddanceandwassailsong,proudmarchandreligiouschant.Allbroughtmusicandtheirinstrumentsforthemakingofmusic,thosemanychildrenofthe

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harpandlute.Allbroughttheirpoetry,wingedtalesofman'smanypassions,folksongsandpsalm,balladsofheroesandtunesofthesea,liltingscrapscaughtfromtheskyandfield,ormightydreamsanddramasthattellofprimalstrugglesoftheprofoundestmeaning.Allbroughtpoetry.Allbroughtart,fanciesofthemind,woveninwoodorwool,silk,stoneormetal—rugsandbaskets,gatesoffinedesignandmodeledgardens,housesandwalls,pillarsandroofs,windows,statuesandpainting—allbroughttheirartandhandcraft."Thentoo,eachbroughtsomehomelythings,sometouchofthefamiliarhomefieldorforest,kitchenordress—afavoritetreeorfruit,anaccustomedflower,astyleincookeryorincostume—eachbroughtsomehomelike,familiarthing."FranklinH.Lane,America's Making."ItisahighprivilegetobearwitnesstothedebtwhichthiscountryowestomenofPolishblood.Gratefullyweacknowledgetheservicesofthoseintrepidchampionsofhumanfree-dom—PulaskiandKosciuszko—whoseverynamesarewatchwordsoflibertyandwhosedeedsarepartoftheimperishablerecordofAmericanindependence...TheyandthemillionsofothermenandwomenofPolishblood,whohaveunitedtheirdesti-nieswiththoseofAmerica—whetherinthedaysofColonialsettlement;inthewartoattainindependence;inthehardstruggleoutofwhichemergedournationalunity;inthegreatjourneyingsacrosstheWesternPlainstotheslopesofthePacific;onfarmsorintownandcity—throughallofourhistorytheyhavemadetheirfullcontributiontotheup-buildingofourinstitutionsandtothefulfillmentofournationallife."FranklinD.Roosevelt,AddressatArlingtonNationalCemetery,October11,1937"Incontrastwithotherimmigrantgroups,theAmericanPolehasbeenabletoretaintoanunusualdegreethePolishculturepatternwithintheAmericanenvironment.ThisisduetothepersistencewithwhichthePolishimmigrantclingstohisnationalisticmemories,thestrengthoftheRomanCatholicChurch,theunselfishwillingnesswithwhichtheAmericanPolesupportshisowninstitutionsinAmerica,thecontinuedinterestofthePolishGovernment,andtheactivitiesoftheKosciuszkoFoundation.Whenthistendencyisnotcarriedtoextremes,andwhenitaimstointegratethebestelementsofPolishcultureintotheculturepatternofAmerican'sculture,thenithelpstocreatethebesttypeofAmericanPole."JosephS.Roucek,Racial and National Minorities.

DISTINCTIVECUSTOMSWecancometoknowacountrythroughitspeopleandtheircustoms.Thesereflecttheireverydaylife,theirhopesandprayers.Theyexpressbasichumansentiments:love,thanksgiving,joy,fear,fidelity,concern,forgiveness,prayeranddevotion.Theyarethekeytonationalcharacterandtotheunderstandingandappreciationofthosethingswhichmoldman,whichinfluencehim,andwhichurgehimtostruggleforlife,freedom,andhappiness.AmericansofPolishdescentnumberoversixmillionandconstituteone-sixthoftheCatholicpop-ulationofthiscountry.TheyfeelthatthebestofwhattheyhavereceivedfromtheirancestorscanbegiventoAmericaandwovenintoitsculturetoenrichandbeautifyit.Theylookattheculturesofotherimmigrantsandappreciatethebestinthem.MaythisportrayalofthecustomsofAmericansofPolishancestrymakeiteasierforotherstoappreciatetheculturewhichtheyhaveinherited.TheCatholicreligiouscustomsofPolandhavebeencelebratedatSt.FrancisofPaolaChurchfor

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oversevendecades.Polishfeastsandfastsreflectthehardshipsandgaiety,theplowingandpray-ingandplaying,thefestivalsanddances,andthereligiousserviceandunceasingdevotionofthePolishcountrysideandmodernmetropolis.Polishtraditionalwaysexpressthelifeofapeoplewhobelievethattheirhomeisatrue"churchinminiature."PoleshavebeenCatholicsforonethousandyears.Theyhavenotshowninfidelitytotheirreligion.Theyhavenot,asanation,deviatedintoerrororschism.TheyhavenotrebelledagainsttheauthorityofRome.Theirlifehasbeenpermeatedbytheinfluenceofreligion.Muchoftheirdailyroutineisassociatedinsomewaywithdeepreligiousbeliefs.Theirfestivalsareconnectedwiththechurchcalendar.Theirholidaysarerelatedtoandnamedinhonorofsaints.Practicallyeverydaybearsthenameofsomesaint.Numerousproverbsincorporatesaints'names,predicttheweather,giveadviceonfarming,orremarkaboutphenomenainnature.Polandisalandofpoetryandlegend.NoEuropeancountrycelebratessomanyreligiousholidays,almostallofwhicharerelatedinsomewaytothecycleofworkontheland,becauseninety-fivepercentofPolandisCatholicandonehalfofitspopulationisrural.Thehomeandthechurcharethe Pole's chief interests. For the church, which is the social center of the village, he will dress as foraparty.ThepietyofthePoleispractical,nottheoretical.Forhim,GodisalovingFatherwhohelpshiminhiswork,blesseshiscrops,cureshisills,provideshisbread,giveshimhischildren,andreceiveshislovedonesindeath.GodisnotanabstractconceptaboutwhomthePolespeaksbutaPersonwhomheloves,worships,andadores.Christ,Mary,andthesaintsareintimatelyfamiliarfigureswhocometohisaidwithcounsel,guidance,sympathyandconsolation.ThePoleisoftenpoorinworldlywealthbutrichinspirit.Heisproudandfiery.Heisahardworkerwholovestoplay.Thoughrestrained,heiscapableofbeingfree,realistic,hardheaded,sensible.Hebelievesinself-discipline.Heisindependentandmuchconcernedabouthonor,andhehasthegeniusforfusingeveryeventofhisintenselylivedlifeintoadeeplyfeltreligiousandnationaltradition.The history of Poland is not a history of external changes in rule and boundaries, but of internal integrityandsolidarityincustomandtradition.BecauseofitslocationincentralEurope,PolandfounditselfatoncethebridgeandhighwaybetweenEastandWest.Because ithadnonaturalboundaries,itwasconstantlyopentoattack.Through1000yearsofitshistory,ithasstubbornlyresistedconquest.Almostallofitswarstookonthecharacterofreligiouscrusades,fortheywerefoughtindefensenotonlyofanationalentitybutalsoofreligiousheritage.TheTurk,Tartar,Swede,Nazi,Communist—alltriedtoseverPolandfromitsCatholicfoundation.AlwaysthePoleresisted,ashecontinuestodotoday.ThePolejealouslyguardshisreligion,hislanguage,andhiscustoms.Heregardsanyonewhotriestotakeanyoftheseawayfromhimasamortalenemytryingtodestroyhim.ThesoilofPolandissprinkledwiththebloodofmartyrsforwhomreligionandnationality—CatholicismandPolishness—weresynonymous.ThePolehasone interpretationoflife—areligiousone.Inhiscountry,youdonotmerelyseereligion,youfeelitaswell.ThePolelovesthatwhichappealstotheaestheticsenseofthesoul.Helovessinginganddancing,processionsandpilgrimages,flowersandcolor,pageantryandceremony.ThisiswhytherichnessofCatholicworshipsuitshisebullientandeffusivetemperamentsoadmirably.Inanessayentitled"TheChurchinPoland,"Fr.I.M.Bochenski,theeminentPolishDominican,haspointedoutthatthechurchofhisnativelandisoneofthegreatpillarsofcontemporaryCatholicculture.ThoughPolandhasproducedcomparativelyfewgreatthinkers,limitedmissionaryactivity,

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nogreatexpeditions,ithasaccomplishedmorethanallthesetogether,becauseithasrealizedtheendforwhichtheChurchwasestablished.Bycreatingaunifiedpeople,livingwithfaithandcharity,ithasoccupieditselfwiththeveryreasonofitsexistenceandnotwithitsmeans,foressentiallytheworkoftheChurchisnotearthlyfame,notahighlydevelopedtheology,nottheconquestofforeignlands,butthesalvationofsouls.TheCatholiccharacteristicofPolandisnothinglikethesplendorandmysticismofSpain,noranythingliketheabstractprofundityofFrance.Wordscannotdescribeit,foritisfashionedoftheintangiblequalitiesofpietyanddevotionwhicharerootedintheheartandwhichmeettheeyeateverydevotionalservice,ateveryprayer,everyprocession,ineveryPolishhome.Throughonethousandyears,theChurchofPolandwasabletocreateitsownadmirableanddistinctivebodyofcustom,art,andCatholiclifewhichonalllevelsseektoeffectadeeperrealizationoftheteachingsoftheGospel.ThePoles,asCatholics,havemanycustomsincommonwithotherCatholiccountries.ButonlythosewhicharedistinctiveofPolandandwhicharenotfoundinotherCatholiclandswillbenotedhere.ThesecustomsstillexistinPoland.TheyhavebeenbroughttoAmericaandadaptedtolocalconditionsandneeds,buttheycanbemorefullyunderstoodandappreciatedinthelightofthesource in which they had their origin.ThemosaicofAmericancultureisnowintheprocessofbeingwrought.ThedescendantsofSpan-iards,Frenchmen,Englishmen, Irishmen,Germans,Poles, Italians,Greeks,Czechs,Swedes,andHollandersareallcontributingcolorfulfragmentsoftheircustomstofashionthepictureofbeautywhichwillresult.Withoutallthesetraditions,thetreeofAmericanculturewillneverproducethefruitforwhichithastremendouspotential.

THEPOLISHSTYLOFCATHOLICISMThePolishstyleofCatholicismhasbeenexpressedmostgraphicallyanddramaticallyinaseriesofcustomsandpracticesthatfolloweachotherduringtheyear,asitpassesthroughitsfourseasons.ThisishowPolishCatholicshavelivedandworshipedforoverfiftygenerations.THE CUSTOMS OF WINTER(ZIMA-WINTER)ThebeginningoftheyearofcustomsandtraditionsforthePolishpeoplecoincideswiththebeginningoftheecclesiasticalyearorAdvent.Becausealltraditionsinthiscountryforthepast1000yearshavestemmedfromthedeepreligiousspiritofthepeople,itislogicaltobegintheircalendarofcustomsatthispoint.ADWENT - ADVENT. Bożewieczny,BożeżywyOdkupicieluprawdziwy,Wysłuchajnaszglospłaczliwy.Przyjdźcorychlejmiłosierny!ABoże,człowiekmizernyCiebieczeka,Tobiewierny.Godeternal,GodAlmighty,OurRedeemermosttrue,Hearourwailingvoices.Quicklycome,OfullofMercy,OGod;sinfulmanAwaitsThee,pledgingfidelity.SobeginsapopularPolishAdventHymnandsobeginsthecalendarofPolishreligiouscustoms—withanActofFaithinGod,anActofHopeinHisRedemption,anActofHumilityinthepetitionofaprayerandintheadmissionofguilt,andanActofCharityinthepledgeoffidelity.ForthePole,asforeveryCatholic,Adventisatimeofpenance,ofprayerandfasting.ThenaturalgaietyofthePolishsoulchangesintoaspiritofseriousreflection.Anancientsongdeclares:"ŚwiętaKatarzynakluzezgubiła,ŚwiętyJędrzejznalazł,Zamknąłskrzypkizaraz.""St.Catharine(November25th)lostthekeys,St.Andrew(November30th)foundthem,andpromptlyhidtheviolin."InsomepartsofPolandthefarm-handsplaysadandlonelymelodiesonspecialwindpipescarvedofwillow,called

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"ligawki"—flutes.Itwasonsuchflutes,sosaysalegend,thattheBethlehemshepherdsplayedontheEveofChristmastogreetthenew-bornInfant.RORATY - ROGATION DAYS.Advent inPoland is solemnized fromoldesttimesby the"Roraty"or"Matins,"inhonoroftheMotherofChrist.ThethemeofthehymnssungonthisoccasionispreparationfortheLastJudgment.Duringtheirsinging,whichtakesplaceveryearlyinthemorning—asymbolofconstantpreparednessforthefinaljudgment—aseven-armedcandelabrumwaslightedbyrepresentativesoftheregalfamily,theChurch,government,land-owners,themilitary,townsmen,andpeasants,witheachrepeatingasheplacedthecandleintoplace:"GotówjestemnasądBoży"—"IampreparedforGod'sJudgment."Prządki—Eveningsofspinning.ThewomenofthePolishvillagesoccupytheeveningsofAdventwithspinning.Gatheringinthelargesthomeofthedistrict,eachofthewomenbringsherowndistaff,spool,reel,andfood.Astheytellstoriesandsingreligioushymns,theyspinandweavethecloththeywillusefortheirlinens,bedding,andclothes.Oneofthemostfavoritesubjectsofthelegends narrated during these evenings is Our Lady and the Saints.Andrzejki —EveofSt.Andrew(November29th)OntheEveofSt.Catharine(November24th)theyoungmenentertainthemselveswithgamesastowhoshallbetheirfuturewives.TheturnoftheyounggirlscomesontheEveofSt.Andrew,forthisSaintisconsideredthepatronofmarriage.InsomepartsofthecountrythegirlsfastduringthedayandpraythattheSaintsoonprovidethemwithahusband.Manytraditionalgamescalled"Andrzejki"areindulgedintodeterminewhichoftheyouthsshallfirstbeblessedbytheexchangeofvows:thepouringofmeltedwaxoncoldwaterandguessingthefigures;throwingofashoeoverone'shead—ifthetipfallssoastofacethedoor,itisasignofmarriage;thetossingoftidbitstoadog—thegirlwhosetidbitthedogtakesfirstshallbethefirsttomarry;thefloatingofwalnutshells—thosewhosewalnutshellstouchshallsoonmarry.Sw. Barbary—FeastofSt.Barbara(December4th)AvirgindescendedfromthetribeofJessewhowasmartyredinAsiaMinor,St.BarbaraisapopularSaintinPoland.Sheisapatronessofthemountaineers,whohaveadeepdevotiontoherandregardherasaspecialprotectressofthoseengagedindangerousoccupations,especiallytheminers.Inotherpartsofthecountryonherfeastthepeasantsdropseedsofwheatandbranchesofthecherry-treeintothewaterwhicharetofloatdowntheriverandburstforthwithblossomsonChristmasDay.Hencethesearecalled:"GałązkiSw.Barbary"—St.Barbara'sbranches."Św. Mikołaj — St. Nicholas(December6th)Polishchildrendon'thavetowaituntilChristmasfortheirgifts.InPolandtheequalofSantaClauscomesontheeveofhisfeast—theeveofSt.Nicho-las.AndheisexpectedthereinmuchthesamewayasheishereinAmerica—bythegoodwithjoy,bythebadwithfear.Dressedinalonggown,withatallheadpieceimitativeoftheepiscopalmitreonhishead,andalongpolefashionedintoacrosierinhishand,somemanofthevillagevisitsfromhometohome,therelisteningtothechildrenrecitetheircatechism,remindingthemoftheirmisdemeanors,threateningthemwithhisstaff,complimentingandpraisingthegood,anddistributingapples,cookies,cakes,andholypicturestoall.Niepokalane Poczęcie — Immaculate Conception (December8th)DeeploveforMaryisapartofeveryPole'sreligioustraining.ThisfeastofMary,therefore,occupiesaprominentplaceinhisde-votiontotheMotherofGod.TraditionallythenewSodalistsareacceptedintoOurLady'sSodality

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onthisday.Afterthereceptionthenovicessingthe"Godzinki"or"LittleHours"inhonorofMary.StructuredtoresembletheLittleHoursoftheRomanBreviary,the"Godzinki"expressinmusicandsongthePole'saffectionandadmirationfortheQueenofhisFatherland.Święta Lucja—FeastofSt.Lucy(December13th)BeforetheGregorianreformofthecalendar,theFeastofSt.LucycameonDecember23rd.ThisdatemarkedthelengtheningofthedayafterthefirstdayofWinter,sothattherearosetheancientPolishsaying:ŚwiętaLucjadniaprzyrzuca...."—"St.Lucymakesthedaygrowlonger...."BOŻE NARODZENIE - CHRISTMAS "Gwiazdka" (FeastoftheStar)or"BożeNarodzenie"(TheBirthofGod)isaFeastveryrichinreligiouscustomsamongthePoles.Itisafamilyfeast,andmostofthecustomshavetheirsourceinthelifeofthehome.Wilia — The vigil and Christmas Eve supper.Withthewomenworkinginthekitchenovertheholidaydelicaciesandthechildrenbusywithdecorations,ChristmasEveisclimaxedbytheelaborateevesupperor"Wilia,"forwhichanoddnumberofmeatlesscourses(5,7,11)isprescribed.Oneplaceatthetableisleftvacantforaguestorbeggar,forthePolesays:"Gośćwdom,Bógwdom"—"AguestinthehomeisGodinthehome."Underthewhitetableclothatthecenterofthetableisplacedahandfulofhayoverwhichisplacedthe"opłatek"orwafer.Whenthefirststarappearsintheheavens,thetraditional"Wilia"begins.PriortothewiliasupperthePoleobservesascrupulousabstinencefromalmostallfood.TheWiliamenumayconsistof:Barszcz—beetsoup;Uszka—filledpattieswithearlikeshapes;Kutia—pottagemadefromwheatorbarleywithpoppyseedsandhoney;Śledź—herring;Ryba—stuffedcarporpike;GrochiKapusta—cabbageandbeansseasonedwithmushrooms;Pierogi—dumplingsfilledwithcabbage,mushrooms,datesorcottagecheese;Babka—coffeecakefilledwithalmondsandpoppyseeds;andKompot—puddingmadeofdriedplums,pears,peachesandcherries.Oplatek — Wafer.Aftergraceissaidandbeforesittingdowntoeat,allthosepresentattheWiliashare the"oplatek"orwafer, symbolof love,brotherhood, forgiveness, innocence,andChrist.The father breaks the wafer with his wife, exchanging wishes for health and happiness. Then the "oplatek"isbrokenwithothers,beginningwiththeoldest.Typicalwishesmaybe"MayGodgiveyouhappiness,health,andfortune,andafterdeathaheavenlycrown."Whenthewaferisaccept-ed,awillingnesstoforgiveandforgetisexpressed;whenitisofferedtoanother,awillingnesstoshareisdenoted.Aspecialpink-coloredwaferistakentothebarnyardandfedtothecattle,thusrecallingthepartwhichthebeastplayedinthefirstNativity.Itiscustomarytosendawaferbymailtoabsentrelativesandfriendsasasignofspiritualunion.Choinka — The Christmas Tree.AsinotherWesterncountries,theChristmastreeisasourceofmuchfestivity,especiallyforthechildren.Decorationsforthetreeconsistingofapples,nuts,formsofanimals,coloredpaperspheres,stars,spiders,cutoutsandflowers,aremadebythegirlsinthehome.Underthetreearefoundthegifts.Atopthetreeisalwaysastarandangel.Gwiazdor — Santa Claus.OnChristmasEveoneofthevillagersdonsalongcapandaninvertedfurcoat,attachesabeardtohischin,andwithbasketandwhip,visitsthechildreninthevillagehomes.Afterquizzingthemonreligioussubjects,andaskingthemtheirprayers,herewardsthemwith cookies, nuts, and apples provided by their parents.Kolendy — Christmas Carols.ThePolishChristmasCarols,or"Kolendy,"areamusicalexpressionoftheprofoundreligiousconvictionsandsentimentswhichthePolishNationhasdrawnfromthe

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FirstChristmas.TheyoccupyauniqueplaceinthemusicalliteratureofCatholicEurope,forunlikethecarolsofothercountries,theKolendaisnotonlyaprayer,butalsoastory,ashortmusicaldramaportrayingsomeeventfromChrist'sNativity.Unrivalledinnumberandvariety,theKolendatenderly,sometimeswithaffectionatefamiliarity,retellstheoldyetevernewstoryintheplain,touchingwordsofthePeasant.TheKolendymaybedividedintothreecategories—religious,leg-endary,andimaginative.ThemelodiesaretrulyPolish—jolly,meditative,tender,evenhumorous—characteristicofthePolishpeasant.Thereligiouscarols,amongthemostprofoundinsentimentofallPolishhymns,owetheirorigintomonksandreligious.ThelegendaryarebasedonthebooksoftheApocryphaandrelateminutestdetailsofthewondrousstoryofChristmas.TheimaginativeowetheirorigintosimplepeasantfolkwhoinnarratingthestoryoftheNativityusedfamiliarsurroundingstakenfromtheirownhomes.IntheirsongsBethlehembecomesaPolishvillage and Jesus is born in Poland.Pasterka — Midnight Mass.TheWiliatakesonareligioussignificancewhenviewedinthelightthatitisapreparationforthePasterkaorMidnightMass.Regardlessofweatherconditions,everyPolewhoisnottoooldorinfirmhurriestohisparishchurchtoattendthisMass.Inthemindofallparticipants,thepeaceandreconciliationwhichhadresultedfromthebreakingofthewaferisblessedbythepriestthroughtheMidnightMass.Beforeenteringthechurch,thepeoplebreakthewaferwiththeirfriendsandacquaintanceswhoawaitthembythechurchdoor.Popularbeliefhasitthatwhoeverdesiresabountifulharvestmustprecedeallotherstothe"pasterka."Duringthe Mass Kolendy are sung.Dzień Bożego Narodzenia — Christmas Day. ChristmasDayisspentathome;itisafamilyholiday.ThesingingofKolendyplaysaprominentroleonthatday.Itisnotuntilthenextdaythatrelativesandfriendsarevisited.ForthehollywhichdoesnotgrowinPoland,thepeasantsubstitutescherrytwigs.Szopka — Marionette Theatre. This is always a favorite with children who will pull the strings to makethedollsmovewhiletheyrecitespeciallypreparedpoemsandsingtraditionalkolendy.Theyoungsterswillworkallyearperfectingthemselvesinwood-craft,preparingnewandbetterdollsfortheSzopka.Thecustombeganinthe17thcenturyandsincethattimeKrakówanditsenvironshasbecomemostfamousforitsSzopka.Jasełka —NativityPlaysWithSt.Stephen'sDaybeginstheperiodofJasełkawhichlastsuntilJan-uary6th.Jasełka isanamateurdramaticpresentationwhichenactstheeventsconnectedwiththebirthofChrist.Besides the traditional characters, the"Jew,"withhis "peculiarPolish"andpranks,dominatesthescene.TheJasełkatookplaceintheChurchfromthe13thCenturyon,butwereremovedinthe18thbecauseslowlytheylosttheiroriginalsuper-religiousspirit,andwerehenceforthpresentedintheschools,recreationcenters,andevenout-of-doors.TheJasełkaarealsocalled"Herody"or"Maryjki."AwholelibraryofJasełkacouldbeassembled,forsomeofthegreatestPolishpoetsandprosewriterslenttheirtalentstotheircreation.

GODY-"DWUNASTNICA"-TheFeasts—"Thetwelvedays"TheperiodfromChristmastoEpiphanyiscalled"Gody"or"TheperiodofFeasts."Anotherdescriptivenamegiventoitisthe"Dwunastnica"or"TheTwelveDays."Someoftheyear'smostsignificantfeastsfallintothistwoweeksinterval.

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Sw. Szczepana — St. Stephen(December26th)ThereisanapparentsharpcontrastbetweentheFeastoftheNativityandtheFeastofSt.Stephen.YettotheChurchtheyhavemuchincommon,forinthefirstfeastiscommemoratedthebirthofChrist;inthesecond,thebirthoftheChurchofChrist.InPolandthestoningofSt.Stephenisimitatedinthethrowingofgrainatmembersofthefamily,atfriends,andatanimals.December26thwasalsothedayonwhichallworkagreementsbetweenmasterandhandwereconcluded.Sw. Jana, Apostola i Ewangelisty—St.John,ApostleandEvangelist(December27th)ThescripturesrepeatinvariedwaysthatallthingshavebeencreatedforGod.ForHisgreatergloryshouldallcreaturesbeemployed,andthroughthemwillcomeHisbenedictionandguardianship.BeforetheparochialMassofferedonthefeastofSt.John,thepastorofeveryparishblessesalargequantityofwine,tobeservedtoallpresentaftertheMass,duringwhichChristmascarolsarejoyfullysung.Eventhechildrenreceivetheirsmallshares.Thisritualcom-memoratestwooccasions—thewed-dingfeastatCana,whereChristchangedwaterintowine;andtheincidentinSt.John'slifewherehewasgivenpoisonedwinetodrinkbyhisenemies.Tothefaithfulthewineisasacramentalwhichis intended to prevent or cure throat illnesses.Sw. Sylwestra — St. Sylvester — New Year's Eve(December31st)Thegracesandbenefitsofthepastyear;thefuturedestinyofman;theswiftpassageoftime—thesearethethoughtswhichoccupythemindofthePoleontheFeastofSt.Sylvester.NotknowninPolanduntilrecentlyasNewYear'sEve,December31stisspentinseriousreflectionofthepast,asthefaithfulrecallwithsorrowthedeathsoftheirdearonesandtheirheartsgivethankstoGodforallHisblessings.Inthesmallvillagesitisthecustomforalltogatherattheparishchurchforspecialdevotionsofthanksgiving.AfterthissomeofthefolksmaywishtogathertogethertogreettheNewYear.Atsuchgatheringsthehostesstreatsherfriendswith"pączki"(jellydoughnuts)andhotpunch.Atthestrokeofmid-nightalltouchglassesandwisheachother"DosiegoRoku"—"AHappyNewYear."Nowy Rok — New Year's Day(January1st)NewYear'sDaywasalwaysadayofgreatjoyinPoland.Traditionallyitwasadaywhentheroyaltyandwealthynoblemenwouldshowergenerouslytheirsubjectsandvassalswithgiftsandmementos.Childrenextendedgreetingsexpressedinoriginalversestotheirparentsandsuperiors,andcollegestudentsdidthesametotheirlandlordswhointurnrewardedthemwithgifts.Oneexpressionofwell-wishingwas:"Bógcięstykaj"—"Godprotectyou."Inanotherancientcustompeasantswerewonttoshoweroatsuponeachotherasasymbolofgoldenharvest.Inthehomestherewasbreadonthetableforunexpectedguestsorforthepoor.OnJanuary1stalsobeganthe"carolingoftheclergy"—"Kolędowanieduchowieństwa."Accompaniedbytheorganistandaltarboy,thepastorwouldvisiteachhomeinhisparish.Heretheoccupantswouldprepareatablecoveredwithawhitetablecloth,onitacrucifix,twocandles,holywaterandanaspergil.Asthepriestentered,hewouldwishallaHappyNewYear,blessthehome,distributeholypictures,quizthechildren,consolethesorrowful,encourageandprayfortheinfirm,andwishallGod'sblessings.Trzech Króli — Epiphany(January6th)TheEveoftheFeastoftheEpiphanyiscalled"SzczodryWie-czór"—"GenerousEve."ThespiritwasonecommemorativeofthegenerosityoftheMagitowardChrist.Itwasspentinvisiting,playinggames,andsingingcarols.Insomedistrictstheexchangeoftokengiftswastraditional,whileinothersthewomendistributedsweetrolls,called"szczodrówki,"tothecarolingyoungsters.EarlyonthedayoftheFeast,theheadofthehouseholdremovesthe

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starfromabovetheentranceofthehome,whichhadbeendisplayedonChristmasDay,andcarriesitintothefield.Thenthewholefamilyheadsforchurchwheretheypurchaseasmallboxcontain-ingfir-resin,juniper,gold-leaf,andchalk,tobeblessedduringtheHighMass.Onceathome,thesymbolsK+M+Bandthedatearewrittenoverthedoorsasasignimpetratingdivineprotectionandblessing.WiththisdayendstheholidayspiritofChristmasfestivity.Święto Matki Boskiej Gromnicznej — Feast of Our Lady of the Candles (February 2nd) On this day thefaithfulbringtoChurchcandles,oftenmadebythemselvesfromtheirownbeeswax,decoratedwithartificialflowersandbrightribbons,tobeblessedbythepriest.AftertheceremonyallwalkinprocessionaroundtheChurchcarryingthelightedcandlescalled"Gromnice."Athomethe"Grom-nica"islightedandsetonawindowsillduringathunderstorm,asasourceofprotectionagainsttheelements,andisplacedinthehandsofthedyingontheirdeathbed,asasourceofprotectionagainst the assaults of the devil.

THECUSTOMSOFSPRINGWiosna - Spring.Afterthedeathandsomberspiritofwintercomesthevitalityofthenewlifeofspring.Withthisresurrectionofnatureiscloselyassociatedinthemindsofthefaithfultheresur-rectionofOurLord.Thereligiouscustomsoftheseason,therefore,findtheirbasisinthesetwoeventsofgreatimportance.Przedpoście - Pre Lenten Sason.ThisisatransitionalperiodbetweenChristmasandLent.Joyisthedominantnotestruckbythecustoms.WhileanticipatingtheseverityofLent,thepeoplegiveventtoallthepossiblegladnessthatliesintheirheartsthroughparties,visiting,andgenerallyintensesocial life.Zapusty i Ostatki — Shrovetide and the Last Days. ThelastdaysbeforeLentarecalled"Ostatki"or"Zapusty"(Shrovetide).Thespiritofrevelry,merrymaking,andjoviality isexpressedthroughcarnivals,masquerades,andgayparades.Kulig — Pre-Lenten Carnival.Oneoftheoldestpre-lentencustomsdatingbacktothe14thcenturyisthe"Kulig"ormasqueradecarnival,whichinspiritresemblesthemedievalknightlytourney.Inadditiontolonganddetailedplanning,the"Kulig"requiresmanycostumesofJews,Gypsies,Beggars,otherpersonages,andanimals.Ridingonhorse-drawnsleighs,ringingbells,tellingjokes,singingsongs,themenandwomenridefromhometohomeanddemonstratetheirjoy,tryingtherebytoexhaustthemselvesandsatisfyfullytheirdesiresformerrimentbeforethetimeofpenance.ManyeveningsarespentinthisamusementandfromFatThursdaytoShroveTuesdaythe"Kulig"reachestheheightsofrevelry.Thewholepre-lentencelebrationisconcludedbythe"Podkurek"or"MidnightSnack"consistingofmilk,eggs,andherrings—aformofpreparationfortheLentendiet.Pączki — Jelly or Fried Doughnuts. Onevestigeof thetraditional feastingassociatedwiththe"Zapusty"whichstillremainsandwhichhasattainedwidespreadpopularityintheUnitedStatesisfoundinthe"pączki"orjellydoughnuts,symbolsofthebountyofGodandHisgoodnesstoman.

POST-LENTThespiritofprayer,penance,fast,andabstinencepredominatesduringthewholeSeasonofLentandregularattendanceatfrequentreligiousdevotionsistherule.

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Środa Popielcowa (Popielec) —AshWednesdayBecausethespiritofgaietyranhighthepreviousdayandevening,inthelargercitiesitsometimescarriedovertothefirstdayofLent.Butinmostpartsofthecountrythepenitentialnatureoftheseasonquicklytakesover.TheashesplacedontheforeheadsofthefaithfulbythepriestafterMassserveasareminderofdeathandman'sfuturedestiny.Insomeregionstheolderwomenwouldplaytricksontheirfriendsonthisday.Gorzkie Żale — The Bitter Laments - Findingtheirorigininthemedievalmysteryplay,theGorzkieŻalewerefirstconductedasareligiousserviceinPolandin1707.ThereisnothingliketheminanyotherChristianland.UsuallysungonSundayafternoonsandFridayeveningsofLent,inthepresenceoftheBlessedSacrament,theBitterLamentsconsistofthreeparts,eachcontainingaHymnwhichconsidersthePassionandDeathofOurLord,aLamentationwhichexpressessorrowforsins,andasympatheticconversationofthesoulwithMary.Święty Kazimierz—Feast of St. Casimir(March4th)ThesecondsonofKingCasimirIVwasbornin1458.NamedCasimirafterhisfather,hedistinguishedhimselfinhisyouthbyadeeppietyandblessedcharitytothepoor.AsayoungmanherefusedthecrownofHungary.OnhisdeathbedSt.Casimiraskedthatacopyofhiswell-knownhymntoOurLadywhichbegins:"Dniakażdego,Bogamego,Matkę,wysławiaj"—"Daily,daily,singtoMary,"shouldbeburiedwithhim.Gregorianki — "The Gregs"(March12th)ThespringscholasticsemesterbeginsontheFeastofSt.Gregory,apatronSaintofschoolsinPoland.Afterclassesthestudentsdoncostumesofteachers,priests,orbishopsandwanderthroughthestreetssingingtheirschoolsongs.Beforecompulsoryeducationwasintroduced,manyofthesongshadastheirthemeencouragementofattendanceatschool.Onesuchsongendedwiththewords:Greg,greg,gregoly Greg,greg,gregoriesDajciedziecidoszkoły. Sendyourchildrenforstudies.Zwiastowanie N. M. P. — The Annunciation March 25th.TheAngelusinPolandisa600yearoldcustomwhichisadheredtobyeveryone.TheChurchbellsringtoannouncetheAngelusthreetimeseachday,andallinterruptwhatevertheymaybedoingtorecitethesalutationandprayers.OthernamesfortheAnnunciationareM.B.Otwornej (OurLadyofSpringbecausesheopensSpring),M.B.Zagrzewnej(OurLadyofEncouragement),andM.B.Ożywiającej(OurLadyofLife).

WIELKITYDZIEŃ-HOLYWEEK.BoththematerialandspiritualpreparationsforEasterareintensifiedduringthedaysofHolyWeek.Cleaningofthehomeandbakingoccupythewomen;cleaningofthestablesandfarmyardreceivetheattentionofthemen;allattendreligiousservicesandmaketheirEasterduty.Niedziela Palmowa — Palm Sunday. Sometimes calledNiedzielaKwietna (Flower Sunday)orWierzbna(WillowSunday),PalmSundayismarkedbythetraditionalprocessioninwhichwillowbranchesarecarriedinsteadofpalms.IntheoldtimesawoodendonkeycalledthePalmowyOsiołek(PalmDonkey)wasledintheprocession.Upontheirreturnhome,parentsgivetheblessedwillowblossomstothechildrenandsay:"Doczekaliśmysiępierwszejświęconki,dajnamBożedoczekaćidrugiej."(Wehavelivedtoseethefirst"Blessing";mayGodletusseethesecond.)Becausethepalm(orwillow)hasbeenblessed,itisbelievedtohavecurativevalueandishungbehindholypicturesduringtheyear.Inthecountry,peasantsformcrossesfromtheblessedwil-

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lowsandburytheminthefieldstoprotectthemfromhail,andplacethemoverbuildingstoguardthemagainstlightning.Ciemna Jutrznia—TenebraeOnWednesday,Thursday,andFridayofHolyWeekinmostChurches,includingthoseinsmallvillages,servicesareheldintheearlyeveningconsistingofthechantingof"CiemnaJutrznia"orTenebrae,whichispartoftheDivineOfficeforthefollowingday.Followingtheservicesthechildren,inanticipationofEaster,playgames,tricks,andpracticaljokes.OnecommonmanifestationofthisspiritistheloweringoftheeffigyofJudasfromtheChurchbelfry,attackingandbeatingit,andfinallythrowingitintoanearbycreekorstreamtodrown.Wielki Czwartek—HolyThursdayInthedaysofthemonarchyitwasacustomfortheKingandaBishoptowashthefeetoftwelvebeggarsespeciallychosenforthisoccasion,symbolizingthespiritofpenance,charity,andhumilitybythoseinauthority.IntheChurchofOurLadyofCzęstochowapromptlyat4A.M.themiraculouspictureofOurLadyisceremoniouslycleaned,dusted,andgivenachangeofdress.Religiousobjectsaretouchedtothepicturetoimparttothemameasureofthepicture'ssupernaturalpowers.Thisisusuallyaprivateceremonyconductedinasmallchapelatthemonastery.Intheparishchurches,oneofthesidealtarsiselaboratelydecoratedwithlinensandflowersandpreparedforadorationoftheBlessedSacrament.Thisaltarcon¬figurestheprisoncellinwhichChristwaskeptafterHistrial.Wielki Piątek—GoodFridayThisisadayofstrictestfasting,manyofthepeopleabstainingcom-pletelyfromallfoodexceptbread.IntheChurchesthefaithfulpraybeforethe"grave,"areplicaofthetombinwhichChristwasburied.Itisacustomoflong-standingtotrytovisitasmanyofthe"graves"intheChurchesinthevicinityaspossible.AmysteryplayenactingthesceneoftheburialwasformerlypresentedinthevestibuleoftheChurch,withtwosoldiers,thethreeMary's,andSts.JohnandPeterbeingrepresented.OnthisdaythepeasantsburysmallcrossesintheirfieldsbeseechingofGodagoodharvest.Wielka Sobota—HolySaturdayThehousewivessetalargetable,layingonitthecold"święcone"consistingofeggs,chicken,sucklingpigs,cakes,hams,cheeses,andsausage;andasmall lambfashionedfrombutterorsugar,representingChrist isgiventheplaceofhonor inthecenterofthetable.Invillages,thepriestusuallymakeshisroundsbless¬ingthefareandsprinklingitwithholywater.Wherethepriestisunabletodoso,peoplebringtheirświę¬conetotheChurchtobeblessed.TheświęconeisuntoucheduntilEasterSunday.Theblessingoffireandwaterisalsoanimportantceremony.TheoldfireinthehomewasputoutandanewonekindledfromalightedtaperbroughtfromChurch.Peopleblesstheirhomes,fields,andanimalswiththenewlyblessedwaterasapreventionagainstdiseaseandevil.

WIELKANOC-EASTERSUNDAYCalledbythePolesthe"GreatNight/'EasterSundayushersinaperiodofgreatjoy.Rezurekcja—TheEasterMassOnSaturdayeveningorearlySundaymorningbeforetheMass,aspecialserviceisconductedinwhichthe"grave"ofChristisblessedandthefigureofChristiscoveredwithalinencloth.ThenbeginsalongprocessionwiththeBlessedSacrament,inwhicharecarriedthepaschalcandle,thecrossofadorationvestedinaredstole,andastatueoftheresurrectedChrist.ThetraditionalEasterhymn"Wesołynamdziśdzieńnastał"(Ahappydayhasdawnedforustoday)issung,theChurchbellspealforth,andallcarrylightedcandlesgivingtheimpressionof

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greatilluminationcommemoratingthereturnofthe"LightoftheWorld."Święcone—Hallow-FareAftertheEasterMasstheentirefamilyreturnshometopartakeofthe"hallow-fare."Thefathercutsoneblessedegg,asasymbolofunity,intoasmanypiecesastherearemembersofthefamilyandsharesitwiththem,extendingbestwishes.Thedayisalwaysspentathome.Pisanki—EastereggsAsasignofincipientandnewlife,theeggoccupiesanimportantplaceintheEasterfestivitiesofthePoles.Formanyweeksbeforetheholyday,thegirlsdecoratetheeggswhichareornamentedinthreeways:malowankiaredoneincolors;pisankiarebatikedingeometricfiguresandanimaldesigns;skrobankiaredoneinsolidcolorswithfiguresonthem.Dyngus Śmigus, Święty Lej, Oblewanki —EasterMondayGreatsociabilitycharacterizestheweekfollowingEaster.Sincethereisnowork,thecustomofEasterMondaypermitstheboysandgirlstosprinkleeachotherwithwaterorperfume.Sometimestheboysdrenchthegirls,oftengivethemacompletedousing.Theboyssingdyngussongs,requestingfoodorgiftsandthreateningwithadrenchingshouldtherequestsbedenied.Theśmigusfestivalissaidtocommemoratethe10thcenturywhenthePolesacceptedChristianity,andwerebaptizedenmasse.Sw. Jerzego—St.George'sDay(April21st)April21st,St.George'sDay,thoughnotstrictlyapartoftheEastercycle,ispartofthewelcometospring.St.Georgeisthoughtofasashepherd,movingunseeninthefields,theguardianofspringvegetationandoftheflocksandtheherds.Heissaidtoopentheearthtoreleasethegrasses,grain,andflowerswhichhavebeendormantduringthewinter.OnSt.George'sdaymostvillagersundertakeexcur¬sionsintothefields,singingandprayingduringtheprocessions.Twigsofwillow,blessedonPalmSunday,areplacedintotheground,andEastereggshellsareburiedtoaidfertility.Sw. Wojciech—St.Adalbert(April23rd)BornofBohemiandescentinthe10thcentury,St.AdalbertwastheArchbishopofPrague,whoworkedfortheconversionofPolandandwhowasmartyredatDanzigin997.HereputedlywrotethefirstPolishreligioushymn"Bogurodzica"(TheMotherofGod)inhonorofMary.Dni Krzyżowe —RogationDaysSw.Marka-St.Mark(April25th)OntheMonday,Tuesday,andWednesdayprecedingthefeastoftheAscension,aswellasonthefeastofSt.Mark,takeplacetheprocessionsofpetition,carryingthefaithfulfromChurchtoChurch,orwaysideshrines.Prayersareofferedforgoodweatherandgoodharvest.Onthesedaystheceremonycalled"Dziady"isalsoconducted.Atthecemeterythepriestblessesthegravesandpraysforthedead.Afterthistheparishioners feed the beggars who have gathered there.

THECUSTOMSOFSUMMERLATO-SUMMERThereisapovertyofspecificseasonalcustomsduringsummerbecausefewsig-nificantfeastsfallintothisinterim,andbecauseitisatimeofintenseworkfortheinhabitantsofacountrywhichispredominantlyagricultural.Itseemsasifallenergywerebeingstoredforthegayandexuberantcustomsandtraditionswhicharedirectlyassociatedwithfallandharvesttime.

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MAJ:MIESIĄCMARII-MAY:THEMONTHOFMARYMaryholdsaspecialpositionofhonorand istherecipientofsingulardevotionfromthePole.ThereforeMayforhimisamonthofpreeminentimportance.FamousMarianPaintingsandShrines—MatkaBoskaCzęstochowska—OurLadyofCzęstochowaAccordingtoancienttraditionthemi-raculouspictureofOurLadyofCzęstochowawaspaintedbySt.LukeinthehomeofSt.JohntheEvangelist.ItwaskeptthereuntilitsdiscoverybySt.Helenain326.AlreadyduringitsstayatCon-stantinopleitreceivedspecialveneration.LatertheByzantineemperor,NicephorI,presentedthepicturetoCharlemagneforhisdefeatoftheSaracens,whointurngaveittothePrinceofRuthenia.FromthereitwastransferredduringtheTartarinvasionstoJasnaGórainCzęstochowaandplacedinthecustodyofthePaulineFathers.In1655OurLadyofCzęstochowa"miraculously"defendedthesmallJasnaGóramonasteryandPolandagainsttheoverpoweringinvaders.FromthatdaytheQueenofHeavenbecamePoland'sQueenandCzęstochowabecameaworld-renownedmiraculousShrineofpil-grimage.ThefeastofOurLadyofCzęstochowafallsonAugust26th.OtherextremelypopulardaysofpilgrimageareMay3rd,August15th,September8th,andDecember8th.MatkaBoskaOstrobramska—OurLadyoftheSharpGate.ThisfamouspaintingonwoodderivesitsnamefromoneofthefourentrancegatesleadingintothecityofWilno.AttheOstroBrama(TheSharpGate)hungthispaintinguntil1671whentheCarmelitestookcustodyofitbecauseofthedamagewhichpublicexposurewascausing.Theworkofanunknownartistofthe15thcentu-ry,thepaintingisfrequentlyadornedwithhighlyexpensivedressesofgoldandprecioustewels.AstoallotherfamouspaintingsofOurLadyinPolandtherearemanymiraclesascribedtoMatkaBoskaOstrobramska.MatkaBoskaBogarodzica—OurLady,theMotherofGod.IntheLatinriteCathedralatLwów,overtheMainAltarthereisapictureofOurLady,theMotherofGod.Itwaspaintedin1598byJózefWolfowicz.OnApril1,1656,KingJohnCasimirdedicatedPolandtoMaryandpledgedtohereternalfidelity,adoptingherasthespecialpatronessofPoland.MatkaBoskaŚnieżna—OurLadyoftheSnowsTheCathedralontheWawelinKrakówhasachapelwhichhousesafaithfulreproductionofthepaintingofOurLadyoftheSnowsfoundinRome.Itwasinfrontofthispicture,nowfamousformanymiracles,thatKingsprayedbeforetheircoronation.KalwariaZebrzydowska—OurLadyoftheAngelsTwenty-fivemilessouthwestofKrakówistheMonasteryoftheBernardineFathers.HereonthemainaltaroftheChapelisastatueofOurLadyoftheAngels.Wroughtinsilver,thebeautifulsculpturewasdoneinRome.Ithasbeenfamousformiraclessincethe18thcentury.August15thisadayofspecialindulgencehereandgreatnumbersofpeasants,whoareasagroupespeciallyfondofthisimageofMary,comeinpilgrimage.Piekary (inSilesia)Famoussincethe14thcentury, there is in theVillageofPiekary inSilesiaapaintingbyanunknownartistofOurLadyholdingthechildJesus.Herein1683JohnSobieskispentmuchtimeinprayerbeforesettingoutforthebattleofViennaagainsttheTurks,whichendedinavictoryforhimandallofChristendom.MatkaBoskaKodelska—OurLadyofKodenTheprincelyMichałSaprehabroughtthispaintingtoPolandinthe17thcenturyfromtheprivatechapelofthePopeinRome.Itistheworkofalocalpainterofthe6thcentury.In1635aspecialChurchwasbuiltforthepictureandin1723,ontheFeastoftheAssumption,aformalcoronationofittookplace.

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NabożeństwoMajowe—MayDevotionsInalmosteveryChurchdailyeveningdevotionsconsist-ingoftheRosary,LitanyofLoretto,singingofhymnstoMary,spiritualreadingsorasermon,andBenedictionareheld.WhenthereisnoChurch,aprivatehomebecomesthesiteoftheserviceswhichthepeasantsthemselvesconduct.ProcesjeMajowe—MayProcessionsTheopeningandclosingofMaywouldbeincompleteforthe Poles without the special Marian processions n which is carried a statue of Mary upon an or-natelyandcharminglydecoratedplatform.DuringtheseoutdoorprocessionsthefaithfulsingthebeautifulMarianhymns.SS.FilipaiJakuba—SS.PhilipandJames(May1st)Thesearethepatronsofmarriageablegirls,whoaidinthewelcomeofsummer.OnthisdayyouthindulgesintricksreminiscentofAprilFool'sDay.Sw.Stanisława—St.Stanislaus,BishopandMartyr(May8th)BorninSzczepanówin1030,St.Stan-islausbecametheArchbishopofKrakówin1071.ForhisadmonitionsoftheevilconductofKingBoleslausII,themonarchmurderedhimwhileheofferedMassattheSkałkain1079.Fromthesevery early days Stanislaus was highly venerated by both royalty and people. It was an accepted customforeachkingtovisittheSkałkachapel,wheretheSaintmetwithdeath,onthedaybeforehiscoronationtobegforgivenessfortheheinousactofBoleslausII.ThecoronationitselftookplaceintheWawelCastle,whereSt.Stanislausisburied.ThebannersoftheenemiescapturedinwarweretraditionallyplacedattheSaint'sgrave.OneoutstandingexampleofthiswasJanSobieski'splacingofthebanneroftheTurkishGrandVizierafterthedefeatoftheTurksatVienna.Sw.AndrzejBobola—St.AndrewBobola(May16th).AmemberoftheJesuits,St.AndrewBobolawasbornin1591.Duringhislifeofsacrificehedistinguishedhimselfbyhispiety,intelligence,andapostolicspirit.FormanyyearshelaboredamongtheOrthodoxWhiteRuthenians.Hewasmur-deredbytheCossacksonMay16,1657. ZIELONEŚWIATKI-GREENHOLIDAYS.The"GreenHolidays"orZieloneŚwiątkiofficiallymarkthebeginningofSummer.Theyarethesymbolofvictoryforthenewandgreenlife.Allthecustomsofthisperiod,therefore,aremarkedbyjoyandgladness.ThePole'ssensitivesoulseesprofoundbeautyinallflowersasreflectingthecreativesplendorofGodandhehasdeeprespectforallfoliage.ThefestalseasonoftheDescentoftheHolySpiritfindshimgailybedeckinghomesandchurches,shrinesandchapels,withgreens,flowers,branches.Sobótki—FireGamesInsomeregionsofthecountryeveningoutingsareheldatwhichfiresarelightedandtheyouthplaysgames,sings,anddances.ThefirecommemoratesthedescentoftheHolySpiritintheformofflamingtongues.Majówki—OutingsThisistheseasonofpicnicsandoutings.Indaysofoldthewealthylordsjoinedtheirvassalsinthefunandfrolic,providingforthementertainmentintheformofreligiousplays,fireworks,andgames.TrzeciegoMaja—ConstitutionDay(May3rd)IncludedbyspecialPapalindultinthePole'sLitanytoOurLadyistheinvocation:QueenofPoland,prayforus.(KrólowoKoronyPolskiej,Módlsięzanami).TheoccasionoftheadditionwasKingJanKazimierz'spledgeoffidelitytoOurLadyin1656intheCathedralatLwów,afterthemiracleatCzęstochowawhichsavedPolandfromtheoccupationoftheSwedes.InasolemnceremonythegreatmonarchofferedhiscountrytotheHeavenlyQueen.

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ThethirdofMayalsomarkstheanniversaryoftheadoptionoftheprogressivePolishConstitutionof1794. BOŻECIAŁO-CORPUSCHRISTI(ThursdayfollowingTrinitySunday)TheFeastofCorpusChristiaffordsanopportunityforthePolestoexhibittotheBlessedSacrament—theBodyofChrist—alltheiradoration,love,andtenderdevotiontotheGod-Man.TheheightofthisexpressiontakestheformoftheCorpusChristipro¬cession.SmallChapel-likealtarsconstructedofgreenboughsareerectedat intervals invariouspartsofthe village,usually in fourdifferentdirections, andareornatelybut tastefullydecorated. FromtheChurchthepriest,carryingthemonstrance,leadsthefaithfultothesealtarswhereselectionsfromeachoftheFourEvangelistsarechantedandBenedictionisimparted.TheChurchbellsringoutjoyously;thepeoplesinghymnshonoringtheRealPresence;younggirlsdressedinwhitedropflowersbeforetheoncomingprocession;womencarrytheirfavoriteholypictures;theeldersoftheparishbearthebannersoftheirsocieties.ThespiritoftheprocessionistoleadChristthroughthecountrybeggingHisblessinguponthefieldsandthecropstheywillbear,offeringtoHimallthisforHisgreatergloryandhonor.Wianki—WreathsDuringtheOctaveofCorpusChristismallwreathsoffragrantflowersareblessedintheChurch.ThefragranceisasymbolofthevirtueofthefaithfulwhichistorisetoheavenwiththeirprayersthatGodacceptthehumblesacrifice.Thewreathsarelaterhungovertheholypicturesathometoprotectitfromdisaster.Ontheoctavedayalesselaborateprocessiontakesplace.Manyflowersareagaininevidenceandeventhemonstranceisdecoratedwiththem.Lajkonik—TheHorseFestivalIntheregionofKrakówalocalcustomfindsoneofthemendressedlikeaTartarinelaboratearmor,prancingthroughthevillageonagaudilydeckedhobbyhorse,incommemorationof thedaywhenthemessengerbroughtnews toKrakówof thedefeatof theTartar.ItwaspreciselyduringaCorpusChristiprocessionthatthenewscameinthe13thcentury.NocŚwiętojańska—TheEveofSt.John(June23rd).Thisisthegreatfeastoftheyouth.Aroundthesobótkiorlightedfirestheboysandgirlsdanceandsingtraditionalsongs.Theboysjumpoverthefire;thegirlsweavewreathsofwildflowers,fastenalightedcandleinthecenter,andthrowthemintoastream.Manyaretheexplanationsattachedtothevariedre¬sults.Thefestivalendswithgamesandfireworks.

ŻNIWA-THEHARVESTBecausePolandispredominantlyanagriculturalcountry,harvesttimeisthemostimportantseasonforthefarmers.Allthesongssungduringthisseasonthroughoutthelandhavethesameessence:joyovertheendofwork,friendliness,respect,praise,andcordialitybetweenthemasterandhisworkers.Dozynki—HarvestFestival(September)TheDozynki(HarvestFestivals)climaxtheharvestseason.Observedthroughoutthecountryineveryvillageandhamlet,thesefestivalsareasummaryex¬-pressionofgratitudetoGodforHisbountyandofjoytothefellowmenforthehappyconclusiontowhichanotheryearoffieldworkwasbrought.Thereapersfashionwreathsofgrain,flowers,nuts,and colored ribbons. These are then carried in the harvest processions and displayed at the harvest festivalsatwhichthereismuchsinging,dancing,andplayingofgames.

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MatkaBoskaZielna—OurLadyofFlowers(August15th)OnAugust15th,theFeastoftheAs-sumption,thereiscelebratedinPolandoneoftheoldestMarianfeastsofthecountry:OurLadyofFlowers.Pickedthedaybeforebytheyoungladies,themostbeautifulandsplendorousflowersarefashionedintohugecolorfulbouquetstobeblessedatMassbythepriest.Insomedistrictstheyalsoblessapples,wheat,rye,andothergrains.TheSpiritwhichpromptedthiscustomwasthePole'sinnateloveforandappreciationofthebeautyofflowersandhisdesiretogivebacktoGodthebestofwhatHehadgiventohim.

THECUSTOMSOFFALLJESIEN-FALL"Augustisended.Naturenowresemblesaman,whohadmuchworktododuringhis life, exhausted his energy, lost the color of his cheeks, furrowed his brow with wrinkles, grew baldandtoothless,andnowyearnsfortheeternalrestofthegrave."Thesunbakedtheearth,drieditsflowers,fadeditsbrightcolors.Thestalksnowbowtotheearth,andtheseedsspillforthandfalltotheground.Polleninthicklayersadumbratesthetrees,bushes,andherbsalongtheby-ways;neithercanyouseethecoralbudofafieldrose,northedark-blueplumofthesloetree,northepitchblackoftheblackberry."SobeginsadescriptionoftheautumnseasonwrittenbyA.Dugasinski.ForthePolesautumnisaperiodofrecession,ofrest.Nolongerdothepeasantsspendlonghoursinthefieldsovertheirplowsandreapers,inthepastureswiththeirhorsesandcattle,inthebarnyardswiththeirchickens,ducks,andgeese.Thecustomsoftheseasonmovebacktothehomeasdoesnowallthelifeofthepeople.Thefreetimeonthehandsofthefolkspermitsthemtospendlongeveningsvisitingwiththeirneighborsandfriends.Thewomen,workinginco-operativefashion,gatherattheirhomestoweave,tospin,toshellpeas,tocanandpreservetheirfoodstuffsforthewinter.Allthesesocialgatheringswouldbeincompletewithoutthetraditionalsongs,stories,prayers,livesofthesaints,catechismrecitations,andspiritualreadings.Thesimplesoulofthepeasantcannotconceivedoingany¬thingwithoutsomementionoradvertancetoGod,Whoishisonlycauseofexistence.Matki Boskiej Różańcowej—FeastoftheHolyRosary(October7th)Octoberisthemonthdedi-catedtoOurLadyoftheHolyRosary.DailyRosaryDevotionsconsistingofthecommonrecitationoftherosary,Marianhymns,spiritualreadingonaMariansubjectandBenedictionareheldeacheveninginthecityandvillagechurches.Thefamilyrosaryisatraditionoflongstandingamongthefaithful of Poland.Wszystkich Świętych—AllSaintsDay(November1st)ShortlyafterVespersofAllSaintsDaybeginthespecialcustomsassociatedwiththisandthenextday.Becauseofa longstandingtraditiongoingbacktothepagandays,thepoorofthevillagearefedandbeggarsaregivenalmswitharequestforprayersforthedead.Thespiritisoneofmobilizingasmuchprayeraspossibleforthepoorsoulsinpurgatory.IntheeveningtheZaduszkiorWypominki(MementoesoftheDead)areread,inwhicheachfamilyenumeratesthenamesofalldeceasedrelativesandancestors,oftengoingbackseveralgenerations.Dzień Zaduszny—AllSoulsDay(November2nd)Onthissomberdayofmuchprayer,allthegravesofthefamilyandrelativesarevisited,thetombstonesarecleanedandrepaired,theplotiscleaned,andthegraveisdecoratedwithflowers.Onthegravesarelightedcandles,symbolsofthe"eternallight"whichistoshineforthforthemineternity.Churchbellstollfrequentlyduringtheday.

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Sw.Jadwiga—St.Hedwig(October16th)Themodelofwomanhood,St.Hedwigwasthemotherofsixchildren.BorninBavariain1174,shemarriedPrinceHenryin1186.Shebuiltchurches,en-dowedconvents,andwasverygeneroustothepoor.Afterthedeathofherhusbandsheenteredaconvent.PopeClementIVcanonizedherin1268.Sw. Marcin—FeastofSt.Martin(November11th)Onthisdaylittlehorseshoe-shapedcakesareeatenasremindersofSt.Martin'shorse.Ifsnowfallsonthisday,childrenarewonttosaythatSt.Martiniscomingonhiswhitehorse.PieśniPolskie—PolishHymnsThePolishlanguageandheartchallengeallotheftonguesinthenumberofreligioushymnswhichhavebeenhandeddownforhundredsofyears.Withahymnforalmosteveryoccasion,ineverymoodandtempo,foreverylevelofintelligence,thePoledelightsinsinginghispraisestoGod.EspeciallybeautifulandnumerousaretheChristmasCarols,theLentenHymns,andsongsinhonorofMary.Powitanie—PolishGreetingThetraditionalgreetingofthePole,usedwhenenteringahouseormeetingafriend,is"NiechbędziepochwalonyJezusChrystus."—"PraisedbeJesusChrist."Theanswertothisis"Nawiekiwieków.Amen."—"Foreverandever.Amen."Sobota—SaturdayThelastdayoftheweekisMary'samongthePoles.Itisconsideredadayofspecialgoodfortuneandblessing.Abstinencefrommeatonthisdayasages¬tureofloveforMaryiscommonpracticeamongthepeasants,whosingtheGodzinki(LittleHours)inherhonor.Inthehomeavigillightburnsbeforeherpictureorstatue.AccordingtoabeautifulPolishlegend(whichhasbeenrenderedinapaintingbyStachewicz)OurLadywashedtheclothesofJesusonthisday,andsincetheInfanthadbutonechangeofclothing,itwasimportantthatthesunshine,atleastforamoment,todrytheclothes.HencethebeliefthatSatur¬daysarealwaysbeautifuldays.UroczystościŚwiętychPolskich—FeastsofPolishSaintsThelandofthedescendantsofPiasthasbeenblessedwithmanymenandwomenwhohavedistinguishedthemselvesbytheirheroicvirtuesandlivesofexceptionalpietyandgoodness.Agreatnumberhavenotbeencanonized,however,becauselittleorganizedeffortinthisdirectioncouldbemadesincethethreepartitionswhichtookplaceinthe18thcentury.SomeofthesefeastdayshavealreadybeentakenupintheSeasonsinwhichtheyfall.Moreimportantofthosethatwerenottreatedarepresentedhere.Sw.Władysław—St.Ladislaus (June27th)ThisHungarianKing,acloserelativeofmanyPolishmonarchs,wasalwaysheldingreatvenerationinPoland.Bornin1031,hedistinguishedhimselfasapeacemakerthroughhismildcharacterandprofoundpiety.HisloveforMaryfoundexpressioninthemanychurcheshebuiltinherhonor.HediedinJulyof1095.Sw.JacekOdrowąż—St.Hyacinth(August17th)Bornin1183,St.HyacinthwasaverylearnedmanwhobecameaDominicanaftermeetingSt.DominicinRome.HewasanapostletotheRutheniansandwasoutstandingforhispreaching,deepcharity,andworkingofmiracles.Hediedin1257andwascanon¬izedbyPopeClementVIIin1594.Sw.JanKanty—St.JohnCantius(October20th)St.JohnKantywasbornnearKrakówin1379.En-dowed with keen intelligence, he taught theology and philosophy at the Jagiellonian University. A modelpriest,hediedin1473andwascanonizedin1775.Sw.StanisławKostka—St.StanislausKostka(November13th)Thepatronofallyouth,St.Stanis-lausKostkalivedalifeofextraordinarypurityanddevotion.HisloveforMarywasexceptional.He

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becameaJesuitat18,butdiedseveralmonthslater,in1568.Hewascanonizedin1762byPopeBenedictXIII.Św.JozafatKuncewicz—St.Josaphat(November14th)BorninWłodzimierzin1580,St.JosaphatwasaGreek-CatholicandamemberoftheOrderofSt.Basil.AsBishopandArchbishopofWilnoheworkedunstintinglytoeffectaunionbetweenEastandWest.Hewasmartyredbytheschismaticsin1623andhisbodywascastintotheriver.PiusIXcanonizedhimin1867.BłogosławionyWincentyKadłubek—BlessedVincent(March8th)ThefatherofPolishchroniclers,BlessedVincentwasbornin1161ofanoblefamily.In1207hebecameOrdinaryoftheKrakówDiocese.DuringhislifehewroteinLatinaHistoryofPoland.HediedMarch8,1223.BłogosławionyStanisławKazmierczyk—BlessedStanislaus(May3)HewasbornMay3,1433,inKraków.AfterreceivinghisdegreeinPhilosophyhejoinedtheOrderoftheCanonsanddistin-guishedhimselfforhishomileticabilitiesanddeephumility.HediedJune7,1489,andsoonafterbecamefamousforthemanymiracleswhichwerewroughtthroughhisintercession.BłogosławionyBogumił,ArcybiskupGniezna—BlessedBogumił(June10th)BlessedBogumiłwasbornin1116inKoźmin.HeenteredtheOrderofSt.BernardandforalongtimewasArchbishopofGniezno.HediedJune10,1182.BłogosławionyJakobStrzemiełubStrepa—BlessedJames(June15th)BorninthedioceseofKrakówin1340,BlessedJameschosetheFranciscanOrderashisvocationinlife.His laborstookhimtoRuthenia,whereheworkedfortheconversionoftheRuthenians.Afteroccupyingseveralpositionsofimportance,hebecamearchbishopofHalicz.Hediedin1411.Hisremainswerefounduncorruptedin1619andPopePiusVIlistedhimamongtheBlessedin1760.BłogosławionaJołanta(Hełena)—BłessedJołanda(June16th).ThesisterofSt.KunegundaanddaughteroftheHungarianKingBelaIV,BlessedHelenlivedaholylifeamidthecomfortandsplen-dorofthepalace.Afterthedeathofherprincelyhusband,sheenteredaconventwhereshediedin1298.BłogosławionaMarieTeresaLedochowska—BłessedMaryTeresaLedochowska(July6)FoundressoftheSodalityofSt.PeterClaverforAfricanMissions.ShewasbornofaPolishnoblefamilyonApril29,1863.Shededicatedherselfentirelytotheabolitionofslaveryandtotheevangeli¬zationofAfrica.Thisevangelizationwasgreatlyenhancedbytheprintingpressessheestablished.ShediedinRomeonJuly6,1922andPopePaulVIbeatifiedheronOctober19,1975.BłogosławionyJanzDukli—BlessedJohn(July8th).BlessedJohnwasbornin1414.Aftercom-pletinghisstudieshebecameahermitintheCarpathianMountains,preparinghimselfinthiswayforthepriesthood.AsaFranciscanhedistinguishedhimselfforhiseloquentpreaching.HediedSeptember29,1484,andwasbeatifiedin1739byClementXII.BłogosławionySzymonzLipnicy—BlessedSimon(July18th).WidelyrenownedasagreatpreacherwhodeliveredhissermonsinthepresenceofKingKazimierzIV,hewasbornin1420inLipnica.HewasamemberoftheOrderofSt.Bernard.Hediedin1482.BłogosławionyCzesławOdrowąż—BłessedChester(July19th)AspiritualsonofSt.DominicwhomheloveddeeplyandwhoseorderheintroducedintoPolandwithhisbrotherSt.Hyacinth,BlessedChestersparednoenergyinhishomileticandpenitentialwork.Hewasbornin1185anddiedin1242.BłogosławionaKunegunda—BłessedKunegunda(July24th).ThedaughteroftheHungarianKingBelaIV,BlessedKunegundabecameQueenofPolandwhenshemarriedBoleslausV.Notedforhercharityandvirtue,shedidnotbecomerulerafterherhusband'sdeath,butenteredaconvent

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where she died in 1292 at the age of sixty-eight.BłogosławionyMaximilianMariaKolbe—BłessedMaximilianMaryKolbe (August14)HewasborninZduńskaWolaonJanuary8,1894.BlessedMaximilianenteredtheconventionalFranciscanOrderin1910.InFebruary1941hewasimprisonedinPawiakinWarsaw,thentransportedtotheconcentrationcampinOświęcim(Auschwitz).OnAugust14,1941FatherKolbediedamartyrintheNaziconcentrationcamp.PopePaulVIlistedhimamongtheBlessedonOctober17,1971.BłogosławionaBronisława—BlessedBernice (September3rd)Born inSilesia in1202,BlessedBernicewasarelativeofSt.HyacinthandBlessedChester.AsaSisterofSt.Norbert,shewasnot-edforhersympathy,excellentadvice,andgenerousalms.Shediedin1259andwasbeatifiedbyGregoryXVIin1839.BłogosławionyWładysławzGielniowa—BlessedLadislaus(September25th)ThepatronofthecapitalofPoland,Warsaw,BlessedLadislauswasamemberoftheOrderofSt.Bernard,whosesuperiorhebecamein1487.AgreatwriterofSermons,healsocomposedmanyreligioushymns.Hewasbornin1440anddiedin1505.BenedictXIVannouncedhisbeatificationin1753.BłogosławionySadokiTowarzysze—BlessedSadokandHisCompanions(October29th)Togetherwith49ofhiscompanions,BlessedSadok,prioroftheDominicansatSandomierz,metmartyrdomatthehandsoftheTartarsin1259.DeathcameastheyallsangtheSalveRegina.SincethattimethishymnissungatthebedsideofdyingDominicans.BłogosławionaSalomea—BlessedSalome(November28th)BorninPolandin1202,BlessedSalomespentherchildhoodandyouthinHungary.AfterthedeathofherhusbandshereturnedtoPolandandenteredtheConventoftheClaretians,whoseMotherGeneralshelaterbecame.Shediedin1268andwasbeatifiedin1673byPopeClementX.

CONCLUSIONTosomeFordCityresidentsofnon-Polishancestry,theseventy-fiveyearhistoryofSt.FrancisofPaolaParishmayappeartobeanexoticchronicle.Toothers,theaccountmayseemaswansongforafadingparochialCamelot,whichoncehaditsshiningmomentbutnowisamerewispofglorywhosetaleisbeingtoldbeforeitisforgotten.ButSt.FrancisofPaolaChurchstillthrivesandissuretoendurefortimetocome.Someparishionersnowlivingwillbearoundtocelebratethecenten-nialoftheparishintheyear2000.ThisaccounthasbeenwrittennottorecapturethenostalgicyesterdaysofanethnicPolishAmericanparish,buttorecorditsusablepastforthepresentandthefuture.Thatusablepastcomesintheformofareportaboutaninterestinghumanexperimentincommunitybuildingbypeople,priests,andbishops.Thesignificanceofthisexperimentisnottobemeasuredbyquantitativestandardsbutbythebasictaskofheritagepreservation,byitssuccessfulexpositionofreligiousethnicity,andbyitscontributiontothehistoricalandreligiousconsciousnessofFordCityandtheGreensburgDiocese.The history of St. Francis of Paola Parish is the story of faith and courage, of kindly, sturdy, and dignifiedpeoplewithidealismandintegrity,andwithprideintheirCatholicism,theirPolishness,andtheirAmericanism.ThefoundersofSt.FrancisofPaolaParishdemonstratedintheirquietbuteffectivewaythataparishfosteringthePolishstyleofCatholicismcouldbesustainedinthefreecosmopolitanclimateofFordCity.Theytransmutedtheirfaithandintegrityintothechurch,whichstandsforallposteritytoseeandfortheirparochialdescendantstoworshipandfindsolacein.


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