Apostle of Podhale (Ks. Wojciech Blaszyński)
It is not the first time that a stranger, a stranger dressed in the street, rushes in this direction. He came from far away a few days ago, from Hungary. He stayed in one of the cottages in Chochołów and every day, here in a remote area, away from people, he listens to the noise of Czarny Dunajec. Walks on the thickets by the water. What is he looking for here ?… What adventure is waiting for ?…
It's young, 23-summer philosopher, who struggles with God like the biblical Jacob. It was so difficult for him to make a decision. Because we need to know, that this wonderful boy did not want to act rashly. He knew, how much good or bad one human decision can entail. Once upon a time he wanted to be a doctor, but now he wondered, what is more sick in a person - body or soul ?
The sun was already dying out, the singing birds fell silent. A chill drifted from the river, a on krępy, the healthy highlander was still struggling with himself. From under the black ones, his unruly scattered hair stared his eyes skyward. Finally, he decided - he would be the doctor of the human soul. He will go to Tarnow - to the seminar. He will choose the priesthood with its great dignity, a lot of sacrifices and responsibilities.
Ks. Wojciech Blaszyński, because it is about him, before he became an apostle of Podhale, at first he was a child of Podhale. He was born in the spring 1806 year in Chochołów, in the former Nowy Targ poviat. He was a healthy and gifted child. He amazed those around him with the maturity of his views and assessment of facts. He showed courage and stubbornness in overcoming difficulties. After completing her education in her native village, she goes to Orava, bid farewell to his mother's tears and blessed with her warnings. He goes to Trzciana for knowledge (Terstina), and later to Great Varadin in Hungary. It's easier to write about it, it is harder to survive a few years in a strange environment without material help. This toughened up Wojtek, who is already tough by nature. And then he returned to his homeland, not recognized even by loved ones. He confessed who he was only then, when he decided to continue his life - priesthood. Father in particular did not take this decision eagerly. He would have preferred to see his son in a different position. But Wojtek turned out to be adamant in his decision. The seminar was for Fr.. Wojciech, a school preparing for pastoral tasks. It was also a place, where he lived moments of union with God, which was revealed later throughout his priestly life. Again, the testimony assessed the efficiency of the intellect and his efforts as excellent. But even in the seminary, in this center of the clear action of the Holy Spirit, the proficient and penetrating eyesight of the professors failed to capture the entire inner transformation of the young man. Only life will prove, whether, and to what extent, the alumnus was made like Christ. After thorough preparation, w 27 In the year of his life, Wojciech Blaszyński was ordained a priest by Bishop Pischtek in Tarnów.
It was October, year 1833. The inhabitants of Maków saw the newly ordained priest, who came to work in their parish. He liked it. It was a young brunette, ruddy smiling. God only knew, how much love was hidden in his priestly heart - the love of God above all else and the love of his neighbor. It is this love that makes a man extraordinary. This love was held by Fr.. Wojciech in the confessional for several hours a day, and it happened, that he spent all night there. He listened to people's weaknesses, guilt and crime, he healed the wounds inflicted upon the soul by sin and he forged a broken friendship with God. Even though he was violent in nature, he patiently and calmly instructed the erring. God's deep truths were accessible and simple. He delivered catechism and sermons in dialect, to get closer to your audience and be better understood by them. Love for the people makes him look for accurate comparisons, to detest sin and show the beauty of a pure life. Even wit and a sense of humor shifted into catechization. He fought drunkenness, who is still the cause of many sins and material misery. He fought against the ignorance of the people, so often used by his enemies, and with religious ignorance. To this end, he imported and distributed good books and catechisms. He founded a sobriety fraternity. He encouraged the youth to make a vow of sobriety, for in it he saw the basis of family happiness and stability.
When he became the parish priest in Sidzina, he felt even more responsible for the souls entrusted to him. Taking care of them, he was looking for new ways of acting. He wasn't limited to these people, who came alone. He walked and searched, he made a conversation where and with whom he could. He instructed, advised and corrected misconceptions. Once upon a time an old man stood in his way, skinny woman and asks : "Is the Lord Father Wojciech? ? Is it true, that they shake to regret and confess, to enter heaven ? My God, I'm old, I don't know any sciences ". Ks. Blaszyński sent a girl to her, which taught her the truths of the catechism. Then he confessed the happy old woman. This incident inspired him with a new thought. He knew, that he cannot handle it all by himself. So he started to prepare more clever and willing girls, which later helped him a lot in his catechization. He instructed them to teach the truths of faith and prepare for the sacraments of St., especially for confession.
During their free time, these girls taught at home and everywhere, where the people used to go. They were called "Sidziniarki". They were eagerly invited to each other, sometimes even far beyond the boundaries of the parish. Sometimes they are alone too eagerly, without inviting, they ventured in different directions, to apostle. This family catechesis, because that is what it should be called today, it gave great fruit. Sidzina with her priest and "Sidziniarki" became loud.
But there were people, who were reluctant to do so, and even hostile. The priestly zeal of Fr.. Blaszyński made him friends, but she also multiplied her enemies. He has experienced everything : hunger, cold, exhaustion, the accusations, loneliness, but he did not stop working until his tragic death. He died as a result of an accident near the church he built in his hometown of Chochołów.
Source, from which he drew strength for so many works and hardships undertaken for the glory of God and for the salvation of immortal souls, it was just love. Live faith did not allow him to break down, rebel or fall back. He did not give in to discouragement, nor let his hands down helplessly. Today he is a model for the youth of Podhale and their catechists. He's awake, so that evil does not obscure the truth. During his lifetime he was an apostle of Podhale. Maybe God will allow, that Fr.. Wojciech will one day be the patron saint of believers.