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Br.
Anthony Kowalczyk
(1866-1947)
Anthony Kowalczyk was born June
4, 1866 in Dzierzanow, Poland. His parents, Ignatius and Lucy,
were devout Catholics. After apprenticing in Poland, he
traveled to Germany to pursue work as a blacksmith. It was
here that he became acquainted with the work of the Oblates of
Mary Immaculate and joined them as a religious brother. He was
anxious to work in the missions and came to Canada in 1896.
Posted to Lac-la-Biche, he had
a terrible accident at the mission saw mill. His hand was
caught in a pulley; he had to withstand a 120 mile journey by
horse and buggy to Edmonton, over terrible roads, to receive
treatment. He endured the journey without complaint but by the
time he reached Edmonton, six days after the accident,
gangrene had set in and the arm had to be amputated. The
surgery took place without anesthetics; Brother Anthony
meditated on his Oblate cross and gave no indication of being
in pain.
After his convalescence at St. Albert, Brother Anthony moved
to Saint Paul-of-the-Metis. Here he worked with the Indian and
Metis, praying with them and helping them with their worldly
needs.
Brother Anthony's longest
posting was at St. John's College in Edmonton where he served
from 1911 o 1947. To the students and staff, he was "Brother
Ave", known for his devotion and love to Mary, our Blessed
Mother. When students requested his prayers during
examinations, he would remind them to say an "Ave" (Hail
Mary). When the washing machine refused to work, he would drop
to his knees, say an "Ave" and the machine would begin
working. He spent long hours, after his many jobs at the
College, in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Brother Anthony is beloved by all. He was a humble, devout and
obedient brother, truly living his religious vows.
As an immigrant, Brother Anthony experienced loneliness,
difficulty with language, alienation in a new culture. It is
hoped that one day, Brother Anthony Kowalczyk will be named
patron saint of immigrants throughout the world.
Brother Anthony died July 10, 1947. In this, the 50th
anniversary year of his death, we ask that you increase your
prayers of intercession through Brother Anthony so that his
cause for beatification may move forward.
Prayer to Brother Anthony has already received remarkable
results. We encourage you to turn to Brother Anthony with all
of your needs, great and small. Ask him, through your prayers,
in your own words or those given below, to intercede with our
Heavenly Father on your behalf. In his life, Brother Anthony
helped many; in his death, with your prayer, he will help you
too. |
PRAYER
We praise you, Lord and
Father, who in a wonderful way have led Brother Anthony along
the path of your holy will. You gave him strength to imitate
Jesus Christ in carrying faithfully his many crosses and
fulfilling his responsibilities.
I praise you, Lord, for his
heroic faith and trust, which have opened the treasures of
your goodness. Grant me, O Lord, the grace . . . which I beg
through the intercession of your Servant, Anthony. May his
sanctity be confirmed and may I be ever more faithful in
fulfilling your Holy Will.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
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