I am writing this letter to remind you of probably the most important date in the year of the celebrations of our Congregation’s Jubilee and to invite all Confreres to particularly unite on this day in a prayer of thanksgiving and petition. I am thinking of August 29th – the day on which 100 years ago Fr. George Matulaitis-Matulewicz made his first religious vows in the Congregation of Marian Fathers.

Blessed George made his vows in secret before the Apostolic Delegate, Bishop Kazimierz Ruszkiewicz and in the presence of the then last Marian, Fr. Vincent Sękowski, who was also the Superior General. This event, considered as the beginning of the renewal of our religious community, took place in Warsaw, at the religious house of the Missionary Fathers of St. Vincent de Paul adjacent to the Holy Cross Basilica in the Warsaw neighborhood of Krakowskie Przedmieście.

A hundred years later on this day, at 11:00 AM, together with the Metropolitan of Warsaw, we will gather at the Basilica to give thanks to God for the gift of rescuing and renewing our Congregation. We will also pray for God’s continued blessing for all of us. In addition, four of our Confreres will make their perpetual vows, which will be a beautiful sign that our community, saved from annihilation a 100 years ago, enjoys God’s blessing.

I invite all Confreres, especially those from Poland along with the Superior of the Divine Providence Province, Fr. Paweł Naumowicz, MIC, to participate in this Jubilee celebration at the Holy Cross Basilica in Warsaw.

I invite all Marian communities and confreres worldwide to live out this joyful day in the spirit of thanksgiving and petition. I propose that all would hold the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, sing the Te Deum and renew their religious vows on this day in every community worldwide in spiritual unity with the act of profession made by Fr. George Matulaitis-Matulewicz a 100 years ago, which initiated our renewal. Thus united in the community of hearts and minds, let us ask the Lord to breathe in us His Spirit in our day in order to renew our love and faithfulness.

On this joyful celebration I impart my heartfelt blessing to all and commend myself to your prayers.

Jan M. Rokosz, MIC
Superior General