Be prepared! This inscription appears on the reliquary-case in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Hrubieszów.
Be prepared!
This greeting reminds young (and slightly older) people of their readiness to work, to serve their country, and to constantly improve themselves.
Scouts use these words as a greeting and a farewell.
And how did Stefan understand this call?
Who was Stefan Frelichowski?
Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski was born on January 22, 1913, in Chełmża. At the age of 14, he became a Scout. In 1937, he became a priest.
Then the war began…
On October 18, 1939, Father Stefan was arrested.
He was initially sent to the Fort VII camp. He was later transported to the Stutthof and Sachsenhausen concentration camps. In mid-December 1940, all the priests from Sachsenhausen were deported to the Dachau concentration camp. This was the main concentration of priests from all over Europe.
Every day of imprisonment, Father Stefan Wincenty served as a priest.
In the unimaginably difficult camp conditions, he led prayers, heard confessions, and celebrated Holy Masses in secret.
At the turn of 1944/45, a typhus epidemic broke out in the camp. Father S. W. Frelichowski was involved in helping the sick. While helping other prisoners, he also got typhus.
He died on February 23, 1945.
Can a Scout be blessed?
Father Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski was beatified by Pope John Paul II. The ceremony took place during the pilgrimage to Poland, Toruń, June 7th, 1999.
During his homily, the Pope spoke the following words:
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”The dignity of this name rightly belongs to Father Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski, who was raised to the glory of the altars today.
His entire life is a mirror reflecting the splendor of Christ’s philosophy, according to which true happiness is achieved by those who, in union with God, become a person of peace, make peace, and bring peace to others…
He learned the secrets of the human soul and adapted his pastoral methods to the needs of each person he met. He learned this skill from his scouting school of sensitivity to the needs of others and constantly developed it in the spirit of the parable of the good shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep and is willing to give his life to save them…
Another important date is February 22, 2003.
On that day, Blessed Father Stefan was declared the patron saint of Polish Scouts.
How was the reliquary-case of Blessed Father Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski created?
We had the pleasure of creating a reliquary-case of Blessed Father Stefan Wincenty for the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Hrubieszów.
As usual, it was a team effort.
My husband designed the entire piece in consultation with me and I created the sculpture.
The work is complete, including the reliquary and the reliquary-case.
The relic was introduced on February 23, 2023. Holy Mass was celebrated by Marian Rojek, Bishop of the Zamość-Lubaczów Diocese.
The Parish of the Holy Spirit in Hrubieszów invites you to the Litany of Blessed Father Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski every 23rd of the month.
See also our other projects in the field of sacred art, sculpture, and ceramic mosaics.
Based on:
Materials collected on the website: www.frelichowski.pl.
Article about Blessed Father Stefan Frelichowski published on the website www.diecezja-torun.pl/bl_frelichowski.
Address of the Holy Father John Paul II during the June service and beatification of Fr. S.W. Frelichowski during his apostolic journey to Poland, June 5-17, 1999 (Toruń, June 7, 1999) https://opoka.org.pl/biblioteka/W/WP/jan_pawel_ii/przemowienia/torun_2_07061999
Wikipedia
