The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

108 The Marian Martyrs of Rosica One day, 17 people came. I asked: “What happened? Did somebody let you all out of the bag?” “If you don’t know, Father, then we’ll tell you!” The most outspoken one, Franka Kuryksza, began the story: “Yesterday an Orthodox priest approached the Orthodox people to arrange a Mass in the ‘Selmag’ (a warehouse for the local collective farm or kolkhoz ) because their church is in very bad shape. I was curious, so I and my girlfriend went there too. The priest had earlier renounced his faith, but the Orthodox took him back. “So, first he announced that he would make a list for bap- tism and that a certain amount in rubles must be paid on the spot. Then he continued the baptism subscription. In the mean- time, a line formed for confession.” “That many of you?”, he said. “I am not going to hear all of your confessions.” “But Father! The Catholics have three priests,” we respond- ed. “They hear confessions all day long. Do you refuse us con- fession after so many years?” “So count up your sins,” said the Orthodox priest. And he went away to continue his collecting. When he returned, he asked each person how many sins he or she had committed. One said seven; another, ten; another, twelve. And so forth. Finally he said: “Well then, I absolve you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” People looked at the priest in amazement at what they heard. “What? This is how you treat us?” They spat with scorn. “We are all going to the Catholic Church.” Then they left the service. And Frania added: “This is why the whole bag full of us got untied and so many of us are here. Because that Orthodox priest converted us!” SOME SPECIALMEMORIES Some kindly families there were committed to us whole- heartedly. But after so many years, I have forgotten their