Servant of God Fr. Eugene Kulesza (1891-1941) the prefect. However, he did not complete his high school studies there because his family had to move to Russia during WWI, and he obtained his high school certificate there. After returning to his homeland, he began his studies at the Jagellon University. At first, he studied medicine, and then anthropology. Influenced by Fr. Kulwiec and his university classmate, Bronislaw Zaluski, Eugene joined the Congregation of Marians. He began his novitiate on November 1, 1915, at Bielany in Warsaw under the direction of Blessed George Matulewicz. Bishop Matulewicz ordained him to the priesthood on October 2, 1921, at the Marian church in Rasna near Wysokie Litewskie. Afterwards, Fr. Kulesza returned to Fribourg, where he pronounced his perpetual vows on November 1, 1922. When the Marian house in Fribourg closed, Fr. Kulesza found himself in a more difficult situation, although he was then a chaplain for religious sisters. He also survived tuberculosis of the lungs. After seven years of studies, on January 10, 1924, he passed his examinations and defended his doctoral thesis in the field of the internal life entitled: “La doctrine mystique de Richard de S. Victor.” He had a chance at the time to become a lecturer of philosophy at the seminary in London, but Blessed George did not agree to this because he needed educated priests to work for the Congregation. Thus, Fr. Kulesza came to Bielany. He was seriously ill, tired, and a little disheartened. In the fall of the same year, he went to Kuznice in Zakopane for treatment of his lungs. But on January 16, 1925, he asked Fr. Matulewicz for permission to go to Switzerland. Blessed George wrote at that time to his vicar in Poland, Fr. Kazimierz Bronikowski: “I am very saddened by Fr. Kulesza’s spirits and attitude […] However, since he is ill, we must provide treatment for him with all our love and sacrifice.” Having received consent and money, Fr. Kulesza left for Switzerland, and afterwards visited Italy and France. He returned in 1926 and worked at Bielany as a school secretary. In 1930, he served as a seventh-grade lecturer and educator, as well as a confessor. In 1931, he became the deputy director of the College, and two years later, a confessor and lecturer once again. He began to have doubts about the way in which he was fulfilling his vocation. Finally, he decided to transfer to the Pauline Fathers. He obtained the consent of the Congregation and was accepted. During his vacation in 1935, he went to Jasna Gora. After just a few days, he returned to Bielany, having rid himself of all his doubts forever. In the beginning of 1932, following the demand of the public education authorities, the gymnasium director, Br. Zaluski had to step down from his office. By his letter of March 2, 1936, Fr. Provincial Wladyslaw Mroczek recommended Fr. Eugene Kulesza for this post and on October 22, 1936, named him rector of the College. On August 28, 1938, the Provincial Superior named Fr. Kulesza the Superior of the Marian religious house in Druya. With all his energy and professionalism, he began to fulfill the duties of the director of the King Stefan Batory Gymnasium in Druya. After a year, the curator from Vilnius asked Fr. Kulesza to take over the office of the director at the State-owned gymnasium in Braslaw, some 30 km away from Druya, but the war broke out and all schools were taken over by the Bolshevik authorities at the end of December of 1939. Fr. Kulesza was acting in defense of priests and the Congregation of Sisters, the Handmaids of Jesus in the Eucharist, as well as their monasteries. He gave himself entirely to the pastoral work, serving not only in Druya, but also in the nearby churches as well. He spent much time hearing confessions, encouraging Fr. Eugene was born on March 8, 1891, in Warsaw, Poland. His parents were Wojciech and Franciszka nee Dworakowska. He had two sisters and two brothers, one of whom became a priest in the diocese of Warsaw (1885-1975). Fr. Eugene attended the Chrzanowski Gymnasium (later called the Zamoyski Gymnasium), where Fr. Leon Kulwiec, a Marian, was
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==