Lumen 2018

prepared by Rev. Pastor Peter Marchewka, MIC, together with the Superior of the House, Rev. Wenceslaus Makos, MIC, with the as- sistance of the Provincial Econome, Rev. Thaddeus Byczkowski, MIC. The act of consecration was performed by Bishop Aloysius Orszulik, Ordinary of the Diocese of Lowicz, on October 28, 2000, with a crowd of the faithful participating. The ceremony was at- tended by the Superior General of the Congregation of Marian Fa- thers, Very Rev. Mark Garrow, MIC; the Vicar-General Superior, Very Rev John Rokosz, MIC; the Provincial Superior of the Polish Province of the Congregation of Marian Fathers, Very Rev. Andrew Pakula, MIC; the Provincial Superior of the Brazilian Province, Very Rev. Mark Szczepaniak, MIC; the Provincial Superior of the Lithuan- ian Province, Very Rev. Vytautas Brilius, MIC; the Superior of the Ukrainian Vicariate, Very Rev. Paul Ostrowski, MIC; a delegate of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Province in the United States, Br. Albin Milewski, MIC; the builder of the church, Rev. Lucian Lada; the pastor of the parish in Podegrodzie, Rev. Joseph Walaszek; and other invited guests, both from the laity and the clergy, including professors and seminarians from the Seminary of the Congregation of Marian Fathers in Lublin, and novices from Gora Kalwaria. The sunny Sat- urday, on which the consecration of the church, which is the cradle of the Marians, took place was awash in the beautiful colors of the Polish autumn. The solemn celebration filled the hearts of all gath- ered with joy, hearts that were saddened by the tragic fire of the his- torical church not so long before. The Marian Forest was having a day of glory. One of the values of this place is also its special microclimate cre- ated by the sandy soils covered with pine or mixed forest, the mead- ows and the brushwood by the river, full of various kinds of birds and animals. This very special climate has attracted many scientists, artists, and patriotic activists to the nearby Olszanka. 102 The local chronicle mentions such names as Wroblewski, Rapacki, Tanski, Popowiski, and other families who rendered numerous services to this area and to the entire country. 103 277 Foundation of a New Religious Order