Numerous Salesians gathered at the convent in Ląd, including the Superiors of the other three Polish provinces, many Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, delegations from Salesian schools, parishes and oratories, as well as members of the Salesian Family.
Right from the start of the liturgy, the exceptional nature of this day was emphasised. As was highlighted, Blessed Fr Franciszek Miśka – a Salesian linked to Ląd, murdered by the German occupiers in the Dachau concentration camp – has symbolically returned to the place of his ministry as a witness to the faith and a martyr, a follower of Christ.
The central moment of the celebration, therefore, was the thanksgiving for the beatification of Blessed Fr Franciszek Miśka, who on 6 June was raised to the glory of the altars together with the other eight Salesian martyrs who served at the parish of St Stanislaus Kostka in Dębniki, Kraków.
In his homily, Fr Jachimowicz recalled that the witness of the new blessed is not merely a fine chapter in history, but remains a timely message for the Church today:
“The Church’s greatest treasure is not its buildings, nor its structures. The greatest treasure is people faithful to God and to holiness. Blessed Franciszek Miśka reminds us that the Gospel is a way of life worth following to the very end.”
Referring to the Gospel of the day, on the sending out of the disciples, he emphasised that Christ continues to send his disciples into the world, which needs hope, presence and witnesses to the faith. A particular response to these challenges remains the charism of St John Bosco, founded on closeness, education and the accompaniment of young people.
Fr Jachimowicz also emphasised that the beatification of Fr Franciszek Miśka is a great gift for the entire Piła Province, which has thus gained its first blessed:
“It is not only a source of pride, but above all of gratitude. Blessed Franciszek Miśka shows us that fidelity to Christ is lived out in daily life, and that moments of trial only serve to confirm the authenticity of faith.”
The second important event of the day was the installation of the new Provincial of the PLN Province.
Following the homily, Fr Jarosław Pizoń, SDB, made his profession of faith, thereby assuming the office of Provincial of the Piła Province.
It must be said that Fr Jachimowicz, in his homily, also devoted some time to the challenges facing Salesians today: the care of vocations, presence amongst young people, collaboration with the laity, and the building of communities capable of responding to the needs of contemporary society.
In this context, the Regional Councillor recalled that the Salesian mission is never the task of a single person:
“Jesus sends the disciples out in pairs. No one carries out the mission alone. We need one another; we need the community, mutual trust and collaboration”.
The new Provincial was accompanied by prayer. Those present prayed for the light of the Holy Spirit upon his service and in his guidance of the provincial community, which encompasses dozens of educational, parish and formation works, both in Poland and abroad.
During the ceremony, words of thanks were also addressed to the outgoing Provincial, Fr Tadeusz Itrych, SDB.
On behalf of the Rector Major, Fr Jachimowicz expressed his gratitude to him, thanking him for his years of responsible service, for his care for the Salesians, for the development of Salesian works and for his fatherly presence in the life of the province.
After the Eucharistic celebration, the participants remained in the church to attend a commemorative ceremony dedicated to Blessed Fr Miśka, organised by the children and youth leaders of the Ląd oratory, under the guidance of Fr Damian Okroj, SDB.
Finally, words of thanks were also extended to the Salesian community of Ląd for preparing the ceremony, to the “Misericordia” choir of Konin for the musical accompaniment, to the altar servers, to all the delegations and to those involved in organising the event. Special thanks were also extended to Fr Jarosław Wąsowicz, SDB, who for many years accompanied the process of Fr Miśka’s beatification as Vice-Postulator.
The celebration in Ląd was an expression of gratitude for the witness of the new blesseds and a sign of the continuity of the Salesian mission. On the day commemorating the heroism of the martyrs, the Salesians of the St Adalbert Province also began a new chapter in their history, entrusting the future of the community to God, to Mary Help of Christians and to the intercession of Blessed Fr Franciszek Miśka.
xDK
Photo: PLN Archive
{gallery}PLN – Ricordo e insediamento 2026{/gallery}
