Children wore traditional Polish garb for the special Mass Aug. 25 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte. The annual Mass is a way for Polish immigrants and people of Polish descent to celebrate their heritage. (Photos by Lisa Geraci | Catholic News Herald)CHARLOTTE — The feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa was celebrated a day early at St. Thomas Aquinas during the eighth annual Polish Mass Aug. 25.
Young children, crowned in flowers and wearing traditional Krakow folk attire, graced the pews, and hundreds of visitors from across the Carolinas sang along with the choir to Polish hymns. Near the altar an adorned copy of the icon of the Black Madonna, with her facial scars and skin darkened by soot, silently contributed to the homily given by Polish priest, Father Matt Nycz.
Father Nycz venerated the special icon of Our Lady, which remains a beloved symbol for the Polish people. “Since the 1400s, whenever Poland has been under attack,” he said, “Our Lady of Czestochowa has remained vigilant, giving the Polish people hope and perseverance – helping us have a closeness to God during our toughest times.”
For the past eight years, Deacon James Witulski and his wife Mary Witulski have organized the Polish Mass as a way for the Diocese of Charlotte to commemorate the feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
Deacon Witulski explained, “We try to make it a high Mass with the Knights of Columbus and the children wearing the Polish attire. People find this endearing and it keeps the heritage alive.”
The couple, both of Polish ancestry, came to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish from a Polish parish in Rochester, N.Y., called St. Stanislaus Kotska, and they find it important to keep the Polish traditions alive for others here in the Charlotte diocese.
The Witulskis met Father Nycz in 2002 while on a pilgrimage to visit the icon of the Black Madonna. Traditionally believed to be hand-painted by St. Luke on the tabletop of the Holy Family, the sacred image is kept in a monastery on a hill in Czestochowa, Poland. Since then, the Witulskis have remained close friends with Father Nycz, and this occasion was his fifth celebration of the special Mass in Charlotte.
The priest made the 11-hour journey from Buffalo, N.Y., by car, but he did not travel alone. He was accompanied with the first-class relics of some of Poland’s favorite Catholics including St. John Paul II, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska and Blessed Father Sopocko – all three commemorated as apostles of Divine Mercy.
After Mass, people had the opportunity to venerate each relic with a kiss, a picture, or a touch.
St. John Paul II’s relic was a drop of blood from his cassock when he was shot in 1981. Father Nycz, who was born in Poland, acquired these relics through various pilgrimages he has made during his 25 years of ministry. Next year, he said he hopes to receive a relic of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish priest who traded his life for another at Auschwitz during World War II.
Father Nycz spent his day in Charlotte as a true confessor, dedicating more than two hours in the confessional absolving a long line of Catholics who desired to make their confession in Polish.
Mary Witulski noted, “There are people that relocate here that are more comfortable confessing in their native tongue; or, some that know little English. It was particularly important for us to find a Polish-speaking priest for the sake of confession.”
Father Matt Nycz celebrated the Mass, giving his homily in English and Polish, and hearing confessions in Polish for over two hours during his visit to Charlotte. The Witulskis were delighted with the turnout and said they especially appreciated the traditional ambiance of St. Thomas Aquinas Church’s sanctuary, which was recently renovated to incorporate a dramatic baldacchino over the altar.
Deacon Witulski explained, “The Polish love the beauty of the church and the sights of the church. Polish immigrants are accustomed to beautiful murals and paintings, and St. Thomas Aquinas delivers such beautiful sights in the sanctuary. The murals and the baldacchino, the incense, the hand-carved confessionals and the communion rail all help create a traditional worship space.”
He added, “Having these relics help to spread the message of Divine Mercy. Youngsters, older people, college ages – so many people all came and kissed the relic. It was such a moving sight. Holding the relic for veneration was such an honor. A visitor said, how could someone not feel closer to God after this Mass?
“We are humbled to have this opportunity,” he said. “We never know how many are going to attend, but we know we want to have this next year as well. Every year we put this Mass in the hands of Our Lady and she has always provided.”
— Lisa Geraci, Correspondent