The next day I reported to Archbishop Eugeniusz Baziak at Franciszkańska 3 Street and handed him a letter from the Primate. I remember, as if it was today, that the Archbishop took me by the arm and led me to the waiting room where the priests were sitting and said: Hebamus papam. In the light of later events, it can be said that these were prophetic words.
I said to the Archbishop that I want to return to Mazury to an abandoned group of friends kayaking on the Łyna. He replied: ” Any longer, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
Quite upset about it, I went to the Franciscan church and celebrated the Stations of the Cross at images painted by Józef Mehoffer. I willingly went there for the Stations of the Cross, because these Stations are unique, modern. Then, I returned to Archbishop Baziak again, repeating my request. I said, “But, please let me go back to Mazury.”
This time he replied: “No problem. Please do it. But, please – he said with a smile – come back for the consecration.”
So, that evening I got on the train again in the direction of Olsztyn. I had Hemingway’s book The Old Man and the Sea with me. I read it all night, only falling asleep for a moment. I felt somehow strange…
When I arrived in Olsztyn my group was already there as they got there by kayaking on the Łyna River. The “Admiral” came to pick me up at the station and told me: “And, did the Uncle become the Bishop?”
And, I said yes. And, he said: “What the heck…, that’s what I thought to myself and I wished it for my Uncle.”
Indeed, not so long ago, when I celebrated my tenth anniversary as a priest, he wished me so. On the day of my episcopal appointment, I had less than twelve years of priesthood.
John Paul II. “Get up, let’s go!”
St. Stanislaus BM Publishing House. Cracow 2004.
