photograph from the 25th Anniversary Book published in 1921 by Our Mother of Consolation parish in Hazleton, PA.Rev. Fr. Jozef L. Jaworski
December 8, 1881 - January 26, 1962
priest, patriot, Holy Ghost FatherRev. Jozef Jaworski was born on the day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1881 in Janow, Mogilno county. His parents Michal and Stefania emigrated to America when he was 9 and settled in Pittsburgh. It was here that the boy attended a Polish parish school at the Church of St. Stanislaw Kostka and where he was confirmed on November 22, 1896.
After finishing high school he decided to become a pharmacist and began professional studies in this direction, but changed is mind and toward the end of 1902 he asked to be accepted into the Holy Ghost Fathers Order. He took the robe and cowl of a monk and completed his philosophical studies receiving a diploma of "Baccalaurus Artium" [Bachelor of Arts] at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
He was sent to France for his theological studies, where on October 28, 1910 he was ordained as a priest in Chevilly near Paris.
After finishing his novitiate and taking monastic vows he returned to America. From January 1, 1911 to 1913 he was an assistant pastor in Mt. Carmel then from September 1916 in Pittsburgh on "Polish Hill." He was then transferred back to Mr. Carmel where he served a year as assistant pastor with Rev. Tomaszewski at Our Mother of Consolation parish.
With the outbreak of World War I an expeditionary force was being assembled in America, while in Canada Polish volunteer units were organized. Already in March 1917 Rev. Jaworski made his application for acceptance into the Polish armed forces and on September 12, 1917 left for Niagara on the Lake in Canada. From October 1, 1917 he was the first volunteer chaplain in the Polish Army in America.
By decree of the French president Polish units headed by Gen. Haller were organized beginning on July 12, 1917. When the Polish volunteers, including Fr. Jaworski, arrived in France they were absorbed into Haller's army. Up to the war's end, the army fought in the Champagne [region of France]. He received the Virtuti Militari Cross and high decorations from the French.
After hostilities ended, Rev. Jaworski took advantage of his military benefits to make a pilgrimage to Rome (February 25 to March 5, 1919) and shortly later on July 3, 1919 he became pastor of the First Division of Gen. Haller's Army which he accompanied to Poland.
In May 1920 he was given a furlough from the army and delegated to work in America where he promoted "Polish Government Bonds." After his return in February 1921 he was stationed with the army in Baranowice, where he decided to make his permanent home in Poland. He conferred with the Bishop Ordinary of the Lodz-Zytomierz diocese, and after separating from the order [of the Holy Ghost Fathers] began to work in the diocese.
Still attached to the army he wished to obtain a permanent position after demobilization. His attempts at obtaining the pastorship in Baranowice; a post with the YMCA in Baranowice; or a job on the ships of the "Baltic America Line" were not successful.
He was demobilized as a Lt. Colonel on June 20, 1922 and lived for a while in Poznan, then in Bydgoszcz.
After a period of searching for an appropriate position he was assigned as a catechetical instructor at the local divisional school for women in Bydgoszcz. The school district recognized his Duquesne diploma as proof of higher studies and gave credit for his teaching of religion at Polish schools in America starting on January 1, 1911, and therefore his salary was relatively high.
Meanwhile, Fr. Rydlewski was organizing in Poland a province of the Holy Ghost Fathers. Jaworski, despite his membership in the diocesan clergy he stayed in close contact with the order and often served as a special confessor in the boarding school operated by the Holy Ghost Fathers. Having some savings from his service during wartime and a high salary he was able to help others. On October 1, 1926, he was able to lend to the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bydgoszcz, where a church was being built, the sum of 3,000 dollars. When the parish of the Holy Trinity was building a parish hall he made a loan (30,000 zlotys guaranteed in dollars) but lost on this transaction because the Polish zloty gained in value against the dollar, and the Parish council decided to pay back the loan when the dollar was at its lowest point. In this way Fr. Jaworski received only about one-third of the value of his loan. He helped the Order [of the Holy Ghost Fathers] to purchase a home in Puszczykowo through a loan of 3,300 dollars which the Order formally repaid in January 1939 when Fr. Jaworski was again its member.
In 1929 he was chosen as a city council member for Bydgoszcz but the Cardinal Primate would not allow him to assume the office.
Then came the Great Depression of the 1930s, when workers were being let go and salaries reduced. Fr. Jaworski's salary was seriously reduced starting on September 1, 1932 when the Verification Commission rejected his years of work in America (1911-1917), his military service (Oct. 1, 1917 - June 20, 1922) and denied recognition of his degree. Jaworski presented proofs to the commission that in 1925 these had been accepted. The matter heated up. In protest Fr. Jaworski went on sick leave and stopped teaching. On April 1, 1933 the School Board withheld his salary, and then dissolved his contract. Moreover, it demanded that Fr. Jaworski return money from a pay raise over the time period October 1, 1923 to August 31, 1932 in the sum of 17, 987 zloty and 79 groszy. The matter dragged on for a long time and only in March 1938 the School Board reversed its decision stating that he did not have to return the money because the original decision from 1925 that recognized his American education, his teaching time in the United States and his military service was "legally binding." Then Fr. Jaworski demanded the payment of salary from September 1, 1932 to March 31, 1933, but without avail because the matter was considered to be past the statute of limitations.
After leaving the school system Fr. Jaworski asked to be readmitted into the Order. In May 1933 he entered the newly opened novitiate in Puszczykowo and on the day of June 21, 1934 took his monastic vows. Three years later he took the perpetual vows. In October 1935 he celebrated the silver anniversary of his priesthood in Puszczykowo, and then left for the United States to celebrate his anniversary there and also collect some funds for the Polish Province [of the Holy Ghost Fathers.]
In the summer of 1938 he again left for the United States and remained there for a year. The war intervened and he never returned to Poland.
Before his departure for the United States he was concerned with one other matter. His sister, living in America, intended to resettle in Poland. As she gradually sold off her property she sent the money to Jaworski in Poland, where he, as her legal representative, was to manage and invest it. Jaworski placed part of the money in the bank, and part in investments. Because of the war all was lost - about 120,000 zlotys (or 25,000 dollars) and the sister never came to Poland.
From 1939 to 1946 Rev. Jaworski worked at the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary parish in Pittsburgh. Then he entered the American Army and served as a Chaplain in Port Upton, NY. At the end of his service he was given a high American decoration.
After ending his military service he worked as a resident assistant priest in a parish on "Polish Hill" in Pittsburgh. When age and disease became intolerable in 1955 he moved to a rest home attached to the St. Rosario hospital in Cambridge Springs, [PA] and there died on Friday, January 26, 1962. His funeral was in Pittsburgh at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary.
Notes: Fr. Jaworski is buried at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Pittsburgh.
700 Soose Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412) 821-4324 Section C; Lot 130; Grave 3.He received the following medals:
Polish
Virtuti Militari (Military Virtue - Polish "Medal of Honor")
Krzyz Walecznych (Cross of Valor)
Krzyz Ochotnikow z Ameryki (American Volunteers' Cross)
French
Croix de Guerre (Cross of War)
Medaille Interalliee de la Victoire (Allied Victory Medal)Source: unknown (Tomislaw Paciorek)
Translation: Peter J. Obst, October 2, 2007
Rev. Fr. Jozef L. Jaworski
1881 - 1962
priest, patriot, Holy Ghost FatherBorn in Mogilno, Janowa, West Prussia (partitioned Poland), or Strzelno on December 8, 1881. He spent time in America serving the Polish community in Pennsylvania.
In 1916 was assistant pastor at Our Mother of Consolation Roman Catholic Church in Hazleton, PA. He stayed there about a year and left to join the Polish army. While at the church he wrote a stirring letter urging young Poles to join the American Army to fight in World War I. The letter was published in "Dziennik Chicagoski" on March 31, 1917 (see below).
He received a Medal of Honor from the Polish government for his patriotic activities.
In the 1920s he settled in Bydgoszcz and helped in the foundation of the Holy Ghost province there. He also lived in Poznan. He renewed his vows at Puszczykowko Nov. 13, 1934. In 1938 he returned to America to do missionary work.
He died on January 26, 1962 at Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, PA and was laid to rest in St. Stanislaus cemetery in Pittsburgh.
From: various sources
Our Readers' Voices
Source: "Dziennik Chicagoski" March 31, 1917It was a source of pleasure for every Polish heart when the President of the United States, who seemingly does not devote much thought to the sad fate of our beloved homeland, said the following uplifting and memorable words: "Statesmen everywhere agree that there must exist a united, independent and sovereign Poland." On hearing these words not only the exile community but also our brothers in the homeland thanked him heartily and cheered. Rightly so, for such words from the lips of such an influential person as is Mr. Wilson today have their weight, and give us hope that Poland will rise from the ashes like a Phoenix. But today, the United States is forced to take up arms to enforce the law, assure the nation's independence and punish Prussian arrogance. So what is our position? What is our orientation and duty?
Like it or not, for many of us America has been an adopted but kind mother. America gave us shelter, a place of our own, and allowed us to satisfy our intellectual and material needs in our own national spirit under her starry banner when this privilege was denied us in the land of our fathers. We may not forget this, especially in a time when the enemy threatens America's freedom and independence. We may not forget that the enemy of America is also our ancestral foe and assistance given in America's cause is also assistance given in the cause of our homeland.
When all shades of the Italian ethnic group, representatives of organizations, industry and trade, show readiness to give all for the benefit of the nation, swearing loyalty and aid to the President --- our apathy and silence seem strange in contrast. In vain we look to our publications for some direction about our duty toward America and in the same vein toward Poland. Why such silence? Has American prosperity made us into parasites? Where is that ancient spirit of knighthood possessed by our ancestors?
Does the fact that we are far from the homeland, or that we were raised or even born here, free us from obligations toward the homeland that is our birthright and to our adopted country?
Poles, awake! Fate has thrown us into this dilemma, and it is not possible to shrink from it. The old among you should fire the spirit of patriotism in your sons, encouraging and advising them. While you, Polish youth, show the world that the spirit of Pulaski and Kosciuszko still lives in their children; that Polish youth can be grateful, patriotic and brave.
I know that hundreds of Polish youth have long been serving in the ranks of the American army and navy and I know that additional thousands, not hundreds, are rushing to the starry banner since President of the United States issued the call for volunteers. But aside from the fact that to defend America is the same as to defend Poland, that to fall on the field of glory under the starry banner is the same as to hold up a banner with the white eagle ... Then not hundreds or thousands but tens of thousands of Polish youth should take arms to deal a deadly blow to the wounded monster in Prussian uniform. To do this there must stand an army of at least 10,000 Polish soldiers. America expects this of us, and even more than this, Poland has the right to demand it of us.
Now you, Polish youth, are called to arms by a dual national honor; by the blood of brothers spilled in the defense of the homeland; by the tears of Polish mothers crying over sons forced to engage in fratricidal combat; by the tears of the children of Wrzesnia and the victims of all Prussian injustice visited upon us and our kin. This is the cause to fight for, to become a hero of two worlds; and if to fall become a martyr in the full meaning of the word.
May long live "The rule of the nation -- through the nation, to the nation" and "A united, independent, and sovereign Poland." Hail to those ready to defend it and spill blood over these national aspirations!! Polish youth, to arms!
Rev. J. L. Jaworski
Mt. Carmel, PATranslation by: Peter J. Obst, Sept. 2007
Rev. Jozef Jaworski CSSp.
(1881-1962)A member of the missionary fathers of the Holy Ghost Order, chaplain in General Jozef Haller's army; Lt. Colonel
He was born on December 8, 1881 in Moglin, son of Michal and Stefania nee Chudzinska.
As a child he emigrated with his parents to the United States. After completing High School started wor as a pharmacist. In 1900 he joined the Missionary Fathers of the Holy Ghost Order. He completed studies in philosophy at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, and theology ath the Holy Ghost Seminary in paris. On October 28, 1910, he was ordained by archbishop Alex dle Roy, the father general of the Holy Ghost Order. After ordination he returned to the United States where he worked as an assistan pastor and catechetist in Phiisburgh.
On June 1, 1917 he joined the Polish Army in the United States, On Ovtober 1, 1917 he became the first chaplian for the Polsih units training at Niagara on the Lake in Canada. On January 10, 1918 he arrived in France with units of the Polish army. On June 3, 1918, he became chaplain for the 1st Polish Rifle Regiment in France. He participated in the figting in Champagne and Wogezach.
During the time the 1st Polish Rifle Regiment wa in frnce on the Forestie line, he visited his soldiers daily in the front line trenches and said mass at the company headquarters bunker. On August 7, 1918 despite great danger, under enemy fire, he reached the forward area to aid the soldiers with his words. He was gratefully received by the soldiers who were encouraged by the presence of a priest who distregarded all danger to be with them for the sake of their souls.
For these actions he was awarded the Virtuti Military Order, V class, number 5629 (given on August 27, 1922, by the Virtuti Military Order Commission).
In 1919 he arrived in Poland with General Jozef Haller's Army. As the chaplain of the 43rd Riufle Regiment of the Bajonczyk Legion he took part in the Polish-Bolshevik War. In May 1920 he was given furlough and left for the United States to sell Polish war bonds. In February 1922 he returned to Poland. He became the dean of the Headquartes of the General District in Bydgoszcz, with the rank of senior reserve chaplain (with a date of service beginning June 1, 1919).
On June 20, 1922 he was demobilized. After being released from the Holy Ghost Order he took up pastoral work at the Heart of Jesus parish in Poznan Jerzyce. From 1923 he worked at the parish of St. Vincent de Paul in Bydgoszcz where he was a catechist at a girls' school. In 1933 he entered the noviciate at St. Joseph Monestary in Puszczykow. On June 21 he made his monastic profession, in 1937 he made his perpetual vows.
In 1938 he went to the United States, and the outbreak of World war II precliuded his return to Poland. He took up pastoral work at the Immaculate Heart of mary parish in Pittsburgh. In 1946 he entered the American Army and serbed as chaplain at Fort Upton. Adter finishing his service he was a resident in the parish on "the Hill" [Polish Hill] in Pittsburgh. In 1955 he moved to a retirement care facility at the St. Rosario hospital in Cambridge Springs, PA, where he died on January 26, 1962. He is buried at a Pittsburgh cemetery.
From: Szwedo, Boguslaw, Zawsze w Pierwszej Linii [Always in the Front Line]; Chaplains decorated with the Virtuti Militari Order 1914-1921, 1939-1945. Oficyna Wydawnicza Rytm, Warsaw
Sources: CAW, VM 63-5301, KW 44/J-1157; Czernicki, Schematysm Kosciola Rzymsko-Katolickiego [The Scheme of the Roman Catholic Church], according to index; Informator Kosciola Katolickiego [Catholic Chirch Information] P. 407; Lukomski, Polak, Suchciz Kawalerowie Virtuti Militari [Cavaliers of the Virtuti Militari medal] p. 135; Franciszek Mientki, O. Jozef Jaworski, Nps.; Radzilowicz, Blekitna Armia [The Blue Army] p. 134; Rocznik Officerski [The Officers' Annual] 1923, 1924; Schematism gnieznienski i poznanski [Shemes in Gniezno and Poznan] 1923, 1925, 1926, 1929, 1931, 1932. 1934, 19361938, according to index; Kapelani wojskowei [Military Chaplains] p. 6; Walter, Czyn zbrojny wychodztwa [Military Deeds of Emigrants] according to index; Waszkiewicz, Duszpasterstwo [Shepherds of Souls], per index; Wesolowski, Order Virtuti Militari, p. 267, 472; Wspomnienia wojenne kapelanow wojskowyvh [war memories of military chaplains] p. 544; Wykaz duchowienstwa wojskowego [A Register of Military Priests] 125, p. 30; information from Grzegorz Kosielski of Bydgoszcz and Rev. Anastazy Nadolny from the Diocesan Archives in Pelplin.
Translation by: Peter J. Obst, December 18, 2007