Quote of the day, 27 August: St. John Paul II

Once again, during my service to the universal Church in the See of Saint Peter, I come to my native town of Wadowice.

With great emotion I gaze upon this city of my childhood years, which witnessed my first steps, my first words and those “first bows” which, as Norwid puts it, are “like the eternal profession of Christ: ‘Be praised!’” (cf. Moja piosenka [My Song]).

The city of my childhood, my family home, the church of my Baptism… I wish to cross these hospitable thresholds, bow before my native soil and its inhabitants, and utter the words of greeting given to family members upon on their return from a long journey: “Praised be Jesus Christ!”

In a particular way, I wish to greet the Discalced Carmelite Fathers of Górka in Wadowice. We are meeting on an exceptional occasion: 27 August this year marks the centenary of the consecration of the Church of Saint Joseph, at the Convent founded by Saint Raphael Kalinowski.

As I did as a young man, I now return in spirit to that place of particular devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which had such a great influence on the spirituality of the Wadowice area. I myself received many graces there, and today I wish to thank the Lord for them.

I am pleased that I was able to beatify, together with one hundred and eight martyrs, Blessed Father Alfonsus Mary Mazurek, a pupil and later a worthy teacher in the minor seminary attached to the Convent.

I had the opportunity to meet personally this witness of Christ who in 1944, as prior of the convent of Czerna, confirmed his fidelity to God by a martyr’s death.

I kneel in veneration before his relics, which rest in the Church of Saint Joseph, and I give thanks to God for the gift of the life, martyrdom, and holiness of this great Religious.

Saint John Paul II

Homily, Eucharistic celebration in Wadowice, Poland
Wednesday, 16 June 1999

Featured image: Opening of the John Paul II Museum in Wadowice, 9 April 2014. Image credit: M. Śmiarowski / KPRM (Polish Foreign Ministry) / Flickr

#BlessedAlphonsusMaryMazurek #Czerna #DiscalcedCarmelites #friars #homily #martyrs #StJohnPaulII #StRaphaelKalinowski #Wadowice

Discover the inspiring story of Blessed Alphonsus Mary Mazurek, a Discalced Carmelite priest and martyr, whose unwavering faith and dedication led to his martyrdom during WWII. Join us as we explore his life, contributions, and legacy in this enriching episode.
Music credit: Sean Beeson

A Life of Faith and Martyrdom

Blessed Alphonsus Mary Mazurek, born Józef Mazurek on 1 March 1891, in Baranówka, Poland, dedicated his life to the Discalced Carmelite Order at a young age, influenced by his uncle, a Carmelite friar. At age 12, he entered the minor seminary in Wadowice, where he excelled academically through perseverance and hard work.

He received the habit of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 1908, taking the name Alphonsus Mary of the Holy Spirit. Despite the disruption of World War I, which forced him to continue his studies in Linz and Vienna, Austria, he was ordained a priest on 16 July 1916. Following his ordination, he continued his theological studies in Vienna until 1917 and then returned to Czerna.

From 1920 to 1930, he served as the director and teacher at the Carmelite Minor Seminary in Wadowice, significantly contributing to its development. In 1930, he became the superior of the Carmelite monastery in Czerna.

Blessed Alphonsus Mary Mazurek made significant practical improvements to the Carmelite monastery in Czerna during his tenure as superior. These improvements included:

• Running Water and Electricity: He utilized the natural resources available around the monastery. Specifically, he built a small hydroelectric power station by constructing a dam on the stream that flowed around the monastery. This station provided the monastery with running water and electricity.
• Terraced Vegetable Gardens: He created terraced vegetable gardens on the slopes adjacent to the monastery, making efficient use of the land for food production.
• Infrastructure Development: He expanded the monastery’s facilities, including the construction of new buildings and chapels. For instance, he built the chapel dedicated to Saint Anne and another one dedicated to the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist.

These modernizations were part of his efforts to enhance the living conditions and self-sufficiency of the monastic community while maintaining a strong focus on spiritual and pastoral care.

During the Nazi occupation, Father Alphonsus’s unwavering faith and dedication were evident. He continued his pastoral duties despite increasing threats, ultimately leading to his martyrdom on 28 August 1944. He was executed by the Nazis while praying the rosary, a symbol of his profound devotion.

Pope John Paul II beatified him on 13 June 1999, recognizing his steadfast faith and sacrifice. We Discalced Carmelites commemorate his feast day on June 12.

Quote from Saint John Paul II

“I am happy that I was able to beatify, among the one hundred and eight martyrs, Blessed Father Alphonsus Mary Mazurek, a pupil, and much later, a well-deserving educator in the minor seminary connected to the Discalced Carmelite monastery. I had an occasion of meeting personally with this witness to Christ, who in 1944, as Prior of the Czerna monastery, sealed his faithfulness to God with death through martyrdom. I kneel in veneration before his relics which rest in the church of Saint Joseph and I thank God for the gift of the life, the martyrdom, and sanctity of this great religious.”

— Saint John Paul II

Join us in remembering and honoring the life and sacrifice of Blessed Alphonsus Mary Mazurek. Listen to the full story on our latest podcast episode at the top of this post or on the major podcast platforms.

For more about Mazurek’s life and legacy, visit Klasztor Czerna and the official Vatican website.

Featured image: Blessed Alphonsus Mary Mazurek’s portrait is seen against the gate of the Czerna cloister in the background. Image credit: Portrait of Mazurek, Discalced Carmelites; photo of Czerna cloister, Adobe Stock (Stock photography)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/06/12/remembering-blessed-alphonsus-mary-mazurek/

#biography #BlessedAlphonsusMaryMazurek #Czerna #history #Nazi #Podcast #Poland #StJohnPaulII #Wadowice #WorldWarII