5475(II)_Brother Krzysztof Gniazdowski – Special Report from Mongolia

September 28, 2020

By Mongolia-Special 2020
(Polish Salesian Missionary Magazine)

Mongolia & Poland, September 2020 -- Salesian Brother, religious without a special uniform. Br Krzysztof is originally from Skwierzyn (Poland), and professed first vows of obedience, poverty and chastity on 22 August 1995. In 2007 he was sent to the missio ad gentes in Mongolia. A few weeks ago the only Polish missionary in Mongolia celebrated his Silver Jubilee of religious profession. The ‘Misje Salezjanskie’ (Salesian Missions) – a missionary animation magazine published by the Warszaw, Poland Salesian Mission Office dedicates no fewer than eight full pages to an extensive interview with Br. Krzysztof in its September – October issue (no.197). We report a brief summary of his interview.

Brother Krzysztof is involved in education of young people, as administrator of his Salesian community or his Salesian work, previously in the technical school, now in the youth centre – parish. The middle part of his sharing is a storytelling about Darkhan Mission, where Br. Krzysztof has now been assigned. His of the Mary Help of Christian parish touches our hearts: “This is the only Catholic parish in Mongolia, where all 250 Catholics are in Mongolia. In the capital we can meet also Koreans, Filipinos and a few other nationalities… People simply like to stay with us, in the Salesian environment. Description of the ordinary weekend in the largest Mongolian parish follows – with ordinary catechesis for the catechumens and other sacraments. The majority of the parishioners are seniors, some older youth and children. it is not easy to find a complete family in the parishes around the country.

Together with many colour photos readers can find about the beautiful Mongolian landscape, about ancient cultural and religious traditions, where the majority hold shamanist beliefs and less than 0.3% claim their belonging to the Catholic faith. Traditions of Mongolian New Year (Cagan Car). Traditional culture and other rituals are deeply forming lively traditions, although now already 40% of the population is living in the capital of Ulanbaatar. With the concrete style of the Salesian Brother, all descriptions of food, work and many human details are very down to earth.

The lengthy sharing ends with a reflection on poverty: ‘Some families in Mongolia are living in extreme poverty, on the city outskirts dump sites and their livelihood depends entirely on recycled waste…One day I was about to throw away my well-worn Adidas shoes. But at the same time I was approached by a boy who was asking me to give him those worn Adidas shoes. And on the same day I saw him happily playing in the Oratory wearing my old shoes. My thought was simple: I have made the profession of poverty, but these young people are living it! – Yes, the simplicity and humility of the Mongolians struck my heart. I’m learning a lot from Mongolian youth and their families, I’m learning also how to trust. Yes, I’m happy that I can live and work in Mongolia.”