Year of the Priest – Polish Friar Honoured
Armistice Day is also the day that the Polish nation commemorates the anniversary of Poland’s assumption of independent statehood in 1918, after 123 years of partition by Austria-Hungary, Germany and Russia. This year the square in front of St. Giles Church in Krakow was dedicated in honor of fr. Adam Studzinski, O.P., a late friar of the Polish Province.
Born in 1911, fr. Adam was ordained in 1937 and served as a chaplain to the Polish Army during the Second World War, first in Palestine and then in the Italian campaign, including the infamous Battle of Monte Cassino. His courage and service led to him being awarded several Polish and British state and military honours, including the Cross of Valour, the Virtuti Militari, Cross of Merit with Swords, and the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Reborn Poland.
After the War he returned to Krakow and coordinated the renovations of the Dominican monastery and St. Giles Catholic Church. During the years he remained active in veterans’ organizations and in Polish scouting. In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of general in the Polish Army. Fr. Adam died in 2008 at the age of 97. H/T to our brothers in the Province of St. Joseph
