Archbishop Jędraszewski about Blessed Rapacz, murdered by communists: he called for faithfulness to God

He called people to faithfulness to God, to obey the commandments. (...) He extended what John the Baptist taught – he demanded mercy, he called for honesty, not to abuse force – Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski said about the Blessed Fr Michal Rapacz during Mass in the parish of Our woman Queen of Poland in Italy, where the relic of the parish priest from Płok was introduced.

At the beginning of the liturgy, the parish priest Konrad Kozioł thanked Archbishop Mark Jędraszewski for handing over the relics of Blessed Michael Rapacz, pointing out that they are “a large task for prayer” for the parishioners.

The Krakow Metropolitan at the time of the homily, referring to the liturgy of the Word, pointed out that for Italians another reason to rejoice is the presence of the relics of Blessed Michael Rapacz. The Archbishop said that first the vicar and then the parish priest of Płok was just a priest who seemed to have done nothing peculiar but one. He called people to faithfulness to God, to obey the commandments. (...) He extended what John the Baptizer taught – he demanded mercy, he called for honesty, not to abuse force," said Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski, pointing out that specified an attitude was displeased by the communists who, after the war, gave the death conviction to Fr Rapacz and executed it.

The Archbishop pointed to the peculiar transfer of religion from generation to generation. He noted that Fr Michael was murdered on the night of 11 to 12 May 1946, and the following morning at Jasna Góra kard. August Hlond ordained Bishop Stefan Wyszynski, who became the primate of Poland 2 years later. – He besides taught, and besides demanded honesty, observance of God's commandments, but besides compliance with agreements," said Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski. He recalled the celebrated message with the phrase "non possumus", in which the Polish Episcopate opposed the communist regulation of the Church.

The Kraków Metropolitan besides noted that erstwhile cardinals died in May 1981. Wyszyński, the full Church prayed for John Paul II after the assassination of his life. - Kard. Wyszyński sacrificed his life, his death, his pain of dying for the grace of experience for the Holy Father John Paul II – said the archbishop, pointing to both figures who are in the chancel of the church in Italian, and emphasized their trust in the parent of God. – These wonderful figures stand together present – witnesses of God's law, witnesses of the Gospel – as a model for us – St John the Baptist, Blessed Fr Michael Rapacz, Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński and St John Paul II the large – are before us teachers of God's joy, despite suffering. For this is to rejoice, to have Christ's joy, to be a witness of Christ's Gospel, even if it costs, sometimes it hurts, sometimes it involves rejection, even persecution, sometimes death," explained the metropolitan.

Finally, he encouraged the joy and worship of God – contrary to the pagan nature of media coverage, among others, in advertising – for Christ's birth 2025 years ago. In announcing the upcoming celebrations of the Jubilee Year, he wished that the coming Christmas would be "the actual feasts of God's joy and peace" through the preparation of penance, reconciliation with loved ones, works of mercy and prayer for the Church and Poland.

Representatives of the parish thanked Archbishop Mark Jędraszewski for introducing the Blessed Fr Michał Rapacz to the church in Italian. "His tenacity in preaching the Gospel and surviving in fact should inspire us and in these times," they said.

Press Office of the Archdiocese of Krakow

KAI

Father Rapacz's Testament