(ANS – Łódź) – On Sunday, 28 June 2026, a solemn Eucharistic celebration was held at Mary Help of Christians Church in Łódź to mark the 70th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Salesian Fr Tadeusz Furdyna, SDB. The Mass was presided over by Fr Tadeusz Jarecki, SDB, Provincial of the Warsaw Province. Fr Furdyna, who turned 96 this past February, entered the Salesian Congregation at the age of 17. On 29 June 1956, he was ordained a priest at Mary Help of Christians Church in Oświęcim through the laying on of hands of Bishop Franciszek Jop. Following his theological studies, he earned a degree from the Faculty of Fine Arts of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and later furthered his artistic training, particularly in Gdańsk and Kraków. He is regarded as one of the leading contemporary artists of Polish sacred art. His artistic legacy includes 1,030 easel paintings, 700 artistic stained-glass windows, and 218 church interior furnishing and decoration projects in Poland and abroad. His works can also be found in the missions, including in Zambia and Samoa. In recognition of his artistic achievements, he received the Saint Brother Albert Artistic Award, a prestigious distinction presented to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to Christian culture. On 7 November 2022, he was also awarded the Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis, the highest distinction conferred by the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage in recognition of exceptional achievements and a lifetime of service to Polish culture.
Poland – Salesian Fr Tadeusz Furdyna celebrates the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination
