Father Bronislaw Markiewicz |
|
Father Bronislaw Markiewicz |
In 1921, nine years after Fr. Markiewicz's death, the Archbishop of Krakow,
later cardinal of Sapieha, made an effort to receive Church approval for a new
congregation. It would become known as "Michaelites" under the
patronage of Saint Michael. It has been said that his main reason for soliciting
ecclesiastical approval was that in his own diocese, a branch of the Michaelites
was already flourishing, having been started personally by father Markiewicz
in 1903.
After much investigation, "The congregation of St.Michael the Archangel"
was installed in the Diocese of Krakow on Sept. 29, 1921. Bishop Pelczar
of Przemysl had no choice but to do the same on October 2, 1921 in the Diocese
of Przemysl. Final approval from the Apostolic See took place on Jan 15, 1966
through the announcement "Decretum Laudis" (The Decree of Praise).
By 1969, the Michaelites counted among them 94 priests, 18 lay brothers,
42 seminarians, 18 novices and 25 postulants. The congregation owned eight houses
in Poland and one in Canada.
The female members known as "The Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel" experienced
a more difficult time, finally receiving "Decretum Laudis" on June 5, 1956.
In the year of their approval there were 205 sisters, with 189 professed serving
in 21 houses in their own country.
The sons of Fr. Markiewicz are not involved politically. Their mission is to care
for children, be they orphans, neglected or poor. To help in such a large
undertaking, The Michaelites have enlisted the aid of lay co-workers into
their secular union called the "Society for Moderation and Work". The mission
itself and the aims of the congregation can be read in the new constitution
which was approved May 31, 1976
