1934 CSMA: Michaelites welcomed to the list
austraLasia #1934

Michaelites welcomed to austraLasia list

MT HAGEN: 28th August 2007 --  The Michaelites, a relatively new member of the Salesian Family (2001) with a comparatively long association with Don Bosco (Blessed Bronislaus Markiewicz made his final vows before Don Bosco in 1887), have joined the austraLasia list from Mt Hagen in PNG. Welcome!
    Fr Zdzislaw (Ziggy for short) Kruzcek CSMA is the Rector of the interdiocesan Fatima seminary at Mt Hagen, not too distant from the Salesian community at Kumgi, in the Highlands.  There are 15 CSMA (Congregation of St Michael the Archangel or Michaelites) members in the EAO region, 6 in PNG and 9 in Sydney, Australia. Within the PNG-SI Delegation the Michaelites have become an integral part of the Salesian Family, taking part in their days and celebrations.
    Each year the Michaelites publish an annual of about 200 pages, called MI_CHA_EL. Fr Ziggy is the editor, the copyright is held by the Michaelite communities in PNG-Australia and it is printed in Poland.
    The Michaelites (there are Sisters as well as priests) are now to be found in Belarus, The Ukraine, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Argentina, Paraguay, The Dominican Republic, the Dutch Antilles, Aruba.  They plan to open a presence in the Philippines this year. Altogether they have 251 priests, 7 deacons, 21 brothers, 62 seminarians and 20 novices.  Of these 11 priests, 12 clerical students, 8 novices come from outside of Poland where the group was founded.  In Poland itself they have 18 communities and 12 other institutions.
    Bronislaus Markiewcz was beatified in 2003.  He was a Salesian from 1885-1897, after which he separated from the Congregation and founded this new religious community, but with very many characteristics so dear to Don Bosco, especially the love for poor youngsters, the importance of the Eucharist and devotion to Mary and, one could say, a special interest in communications and communication of the faith.  From the earliest years the Congregation has produced two monthly magazines ('Moderation and Work', and 'Who is like God', both of which reflect the Michaelite charism), and the annual referred to earlier is an excellent example of this communicative charism: amongst other things it speaks of the Pacific zone where Michaelites are located, writing of the cooperation amongst institutions of formation in the Pacific churches, and offering a brief picture of the Wanepap and Kasap parishes from the beginnings until 2007. These are located in the PNG Highlands where CSMA missionary work began in that country.  Fr Ziggy was the first CSMA missionary in the country, arriving their in 1976.
    Chances are we will now be able to share a little more news amongst the Salesian Family from this new list membership.

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