On January 7, 2020, Pauline Fathers from Buffalo (USA) passed the Triptych along with the relics of St. John Paul II to priests who are working in Mississauga (Canada).
The Triptych along with the relics of St. John Paul II is peregrinating since August 15, 2019 in various parishes in the United States. The peregrination initiative is related with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Karol Wojtyła. In the year leading up to this event, the John Paul II Foundation wanted to encourage all members and friends to pray together through the intercession of the Saint from Wadowice.
Pauline Fathers, Fr. Jan Kolmaga and Fr. Michał Czyżewski passed the Triptych along with the relics of St. John Paul II to Fr. Janusz Błażejak (Pastor of St. Maximillian in Mississauga) and Fr. Adam Wróblewicz CR, (Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Brantford). They will be coordinating the peregrination of the Triptych in the country of the Maple Leaf.
“The history of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Mississauga is short, but very important for the Polish community. At the end of the 1970s, the first parish priest, Fr. Stanisław Bąk, OMI, began working on the formation of the parish. On November 15, 1979, the Archdiocese of Toronto issued a decree authorizing the formation of our parish, and on May 22, 1983, Cardinal W. Rubin dedicated the cornerstone to the new church. A year later, on September 16, 1984, the church was dedicated by Cardinal G. Carter – says Pastor, Fr. Janusz Błażejak OMI. Today, our community has 14,000 families full of life and vigor. The parish has catechesis for children preparing for the First Communion, the Sacrament of Confirmation. Young people are a huge treasure and many of them gather for their meetings and each year go to different parts of the world to experience missionary. The Holy Rosary family is a group of 1,200 people praying Rosary daily. However, the greatest treasure of the parish is the adoration of the Eucharistic Christ in the chapel of Divine Mercy that is ongoing for more than 24 years. At day and night there is always somebody in the Divine Mercy Chapel where Jesus is present all the time. Over here we renew our love for Eucharistic Christ and enjoy the graces of God’s Mercy.”
“I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to have the Triptych in Canada. In early February 2020, it will begin peregrinating the Ontario Province. Our parish will have “this unusual guest” from March 14-20, 2020. During the peregrination time, we will be celebrating the feast of St. Joseph, Patron of Canada and our parish – says Fr. Adam Wróblewicz CR, from Brantford. May 18, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of St. John Paul II birth. We thank God for this great gift of the Holy Pope, and at the same time we want to prepare in the best possible manner for this great celebration. Through retreats, devotions, anniversary evenings, academies, and above all daily prayers, we want the whole heritage of St. John. John Paul II, the father of all mankind, was passed to the next generations and was not forgotten. Through the peregrination of the Triptych, following the footsteps of St. John Paul II we would like to entrust ourselves, our families, parish, the Church, and the whole world, which now more than ever needs Divine Mercy to our Mother.”
Canada after the United States is another place of the North America, where the faithful will have the opportunity to pray through the intercession of St. John Paul II experiencing his presence in the communion of saints. Openness through the grace of faith to gifts and miracles can form a wonderful foundation for even more powerful and conscious confession of faith. May Mary intercede in that special time of peregrination for openness of our hearts to the God’s graces.
Fr. Michał Czyżewski, OSPPE
Buffalo, USA
Photo: Archives of Fr. Michał Czyżewski
