3 Cases of Perseverance and Late Bloomers
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The Canonization of Father Walter Ciszek, S. J.
New meaning to the belief in ‘Divine Providence’.
A Polish American Jesuit priest from Pennsylvania is currently part of a beatification and canonization process of the Roman Catholic Church, road to sainthood. Beatification is the Catholic Church recognition of a dead person's entrance into heaven. Canonization is whereby the church declares that a person who has died was a saint and hopefully you will read his story and recognize it for yourself. I do encourage you to do so. His complex story is so amazing and worthy of this honor, it is too difficult and complex to describe completely. His youth as a fighting tough in Pennsylvania coal country allowed him to persevere through the struggles of an unbelievable journey in the Soviet Siberian prison system, 1939 – 1963.
His great motivation toward entering the priesthood was learning about Polish St. Stanislaus Kostka. Here was a tough kid, the kind who stuck to his guns, who walked from Warsaw to Rome in order to join the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. Walter Ciszek, himself a tough street kid, identified with him. St. Stanislaus Kostka died at the age of seventeen as a Jesuit novice and is the patron saint of novices. Many churches of Polish communities, especially in the United States and Canada are dedicated to him.
Upon entering the priesthood, Fr. Ciszek was sent to Albertyn, Poland in 1937. He then volunteered as a needed worker in the Soviet Union in order to be available as a priest to the Russian people. He could not indicate he was a priest and so entered as a regular volunteer worker. In the process, he was first arrested as a German spy and then as a Vatican spy once they became aware of his being a priest [which actually they knew all along]. For 23 years, he bore the suffering of solitary confinement, torture, violent interrogations, 16 hour workdays in - 20 to -40 below zero temperatures, and denied food and clothing necessary for such an ordeal. In addition, he was forced to survive among criminals, thieves and murderers while a political prisoner. Released from prison, but forced to remain in Siberia, Father Ciszek worked as an auto mechanic, but was watched relentlessly so as not to practice his religion as a pastor to local Catholics. Two books were published upon his return to America in 1963: “With God in Russia” and “He Leadeth Me.” They are a testament to his spiritual odyssey and an inspiration to all Christians toward a greater faith and trust in God, even in the darkest hours. And dark hours they were ! A life of perseverance and struggle, yet so inspiring, I recommend these two books for your spiritual growth. And keep on the lookout for the canonization of Father Walter Ciszek, S. J. How actually did he survive it all? According to Fr. Ciszek, it was ‘divine providence’.
For a speaker on this or related topics, see - www.michaelbaglino.com/speaker/ contact me at - euroamerican22@gmail.com
Source:
Ciszek, Walter, S. J. and Flaherty, Daniel L., S. J.
He Leadeth Me.
Ciszek, Walter, S. J. and Flaherty, Daniel L., S. J.
With God in Russia.
Dr. Michael J. Baglino, Ed. D. is a retired college professor, most recently an adjunct prof. in behavioral science at Palm Beach State College, Florida. He is a graduate of both Winona State University, MN and Florida International University, Miami. Michael is also a retired entertainer [singer/actor], performing primarily as a Frank Sinatra tribute artist under the name ‘Michael Matone’. A parishioner of St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church in Wellington, FL, Michael serves as a lector, EM, and 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He is a professional member of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists. The Baglino family, wife, children and grandchildren all live in South Florida.
He is the author of 5 books, most notably ‘From Gramsci to Freud’ and ‘The Dr. B. Reader on the Ologies’. In his books, Dr. Baglino presents a series of articles and vignettes on religion, psychology, politics and culture. He shows us that God is with us in our daily lives interweaving trials, travels, and decisions with Catholicism. Definitely not without humor, Michael presents a down to earth and Catholic perspective to so many of our contemporary issues. See www.michaelbaglino.com/speaker.
