The Vincentian Fathers Institute of Theology (Instytut Teologiczny Księży Misjonarzy – ITKM) in Krakow, Poland celebrated the opening of the 2016/2017 academic year on Saturday, October 8, 2016.
Fr. Grzegorz Cioch, Rector of St. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Krakow, led the Eucharistic celebration and preached the homily in the seminary church of the Conversion of St. Paul Apostle.
Fr. Kryspin Banko, C.M., Provincial of Poland and Fr. Paweł Holc, C.M., Rector of the Institute and some faculty members assisted with the celebration in the presence of the students.
The celebration continued in the Assembly Hall of the Institute with the Vincentian seminary choir singing the traditional Polish hymn „Gaude Mater Polonia” (Rejoice, Mother Poland).
Fr. Paweł Holc, C.M., Rector of ITKM, Fr. Kryspin Banko, C.M., Grand Chancellor of the Institute and Fr. Arkadiusz Baron, Dean of Faculty of Theology of John Paul II Pontifical University in Krakow each gave welcoming addresses. ITKM is affiliated with the University.
Fr. Jan Nowak, Assistant Professor, presented the opening lecture titled „The human and priestly formation of Blessed Fr. Władysław Bukowiński at the Jagiellonian University and Krakow Diocesan Seminary in 1921-1931”.
Fr. Wacław Umiński, C.M., editor-in-chief of the periodical „Nasza Przeszłość” (Our Past), closed the ceremony with an invitation to take part in a scholarly conference this October. The conference celebrates 70 years of this periodical devoted to studies of the history of the Church and Catholic culture in Poland. The journal was founded by Fr. Alfons Schletz, C.M.
After the Angelus an official group photograph completed the event.
Vincentians came to Krakow in 1682 and settled at Stradom House. In 1735 new seminary started in the house marking the beginning of teaching theology here. When Diocese of Krakow opened new building of their seminary and moved students Vincentians opened the independent academic education school under Austrian law (Poland was not a state those days, Krakow was part of Austria-Hungary) in 1910. Currently, there are some 40 faculty members and over 60 students in Philosophy and Theology at the Institute from Congregation of the Mission and some some religious communities and one diocese from USA.
Nearly twenty years ago,on one of my last lengthy plane trips prior to receiving medical restrictions against flying,I was on route from visiting my son, Mike,who lives in California. My seatmate was an officer in the Air Force. He noticed that I was reading a semi-theological journal. This became a conversation hook. My new friend mentioned that he was a dad, husband of a family involved in worship,study and fellowship. Recently,he had been assigned to duty in Poland where he attended worship in basements and attics. Apparently,the Communists dared not interfere unless their undercover agents would find a pastor encouraging uprisings. Yes,God makes it happen! Be encouraged!
Your Brother and Friend,Always!
Ed Ambrose
(St. Joe’s-AA,1957)