Last Visit

Today was marked by two last visits to various health specialists. The last one was with the leading doctor who collected all documentation from the entire period of my medical checkups and procedures. She is the one responsible for laying out the way forward. She is the one responsible for issuing prescriptions I need for the next few months ahead. And she did just that.

I am happy and relieved that this three month period of countless visits to doctors, hospitals, specialists is finally over. It is not over for addressing my health shortcomings, but anyway, for now we are done and the outcome is not bad if not positive in general. I am positively happy and full of hope.

Now is the time to buy medicine prescribed and start packing before I begin my journey first to Colombia for the Congress of Divine Mercy and then back to Tanzania.

Thank you all who prayed for me all this time! Thank you so much! God bless us all!

In His Heart

What an incredible encounter it was. Having an unique opportunity to pay visit to His Eminence Franciszek Cardinal Macharski, Archbishop Emeritus of Kraków, in his simple residence in the compound of "Ecce Homo" Shrine under care of Albertine Sisters, to celebrate the Holy Mass together, to have a long and lovely chat over a cup of coffee and a cake.

Polish President Bronisław Komorowski and H.E. Cardinal Macharski (more on this story here)

In my twenty six years of priesthood it was the very first time that I was a main celebrant in the Mass with His Eminence participating. A genuinely overwhelming honor.

Cardinal Francis seemed to be happy that I paid him a visit after a couple of years since my last one. Inspite of his fatigue due to his age, he was very generous to spend so much time with me (more than an hour), asking questions and offering witty remarks. He has not lost his cute sense of humor. So great to see him in such a great form and spirits.

I loved one detail in particular. His Eminence wore today a light blue clerical shirt (today is very hot in Kraków, over 30 C) with Kraków City emblem on his breast pocket. Apparently, our city is deep in his heart. And in his seclusion and silence of 'Ecce Homo' shrine, he prays for the city and all the people. He has all of us in his fatherly heart. Such a great man! He loves his city, he loves his people and cares for us. And in return, we love him!

Kraków City Logo

Special Day

Feeling blessed and honored to have the opportunity to visit His Eminence Franciszek Cardinal Macharski today at his residence at 'Ecce Homo' Shrine in Krakow and to celebrate Holy Mass with him at 11.00 am. He is my bishop who accepted me to the major seminary in Krakow, formated me and led through all steps until ordination to diaconate and priesthood. He is the one who sent me to my first and second parishes in our Archdiocese. He is the one who sent me to Tanzania as a Fidei Donum missionary and took care of me throughout the years. Respect and filial love to this remarkable Man of God, now Archbishop Emeritus of Krakow, 87 years old. Please, pray with me for him!

Herzlich Willkommen!

I guess Kiabakari is becoming an attractive tourist destination for German citizens. Since yesterday we welcomed parents of Thomas Back, our volunteer who together with his fiancee - Denise Carl, are getting ready to go back to Germany, after one year of voluntary work as teachers in our pre-school. When Denise's parents and relatives came, I was away in Poland. This time I enjoy the presence and visit of Thomas' parents, and am grateful for their coming, kindness and warm characters. So, before they live on Thursday morning for good, I say to them - Herzlich willkommen!

Home Visitation

It gives me so much consolation to home visit my sick and elderly in the mission, preparing them spiritually and sacramentally for the coming Easter. As I leave in a few days for Poland to be with my Dad, relatives and friends for a few weeks and to see what I can do to help my Dad to live securely and with adequate assistance and help, I wanted to visit my sick and elderly in the parish to make sure they are safe as well and reconnected with Jesus.

The Visit

Yes, I should and I did write this word in capital letter. The Visit. This underlines its importance to Kiabakari and myself. To have an opportunity and honor to host the director of international cooperation of the biggest pediatric hospital in Europe - Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù in Rome, right here in Kiabakari, was an unique experience, to put it in mild terms. Doctor Lorenzo Borgese and his wife wholeheartedly responded to my invitation to come over and see Kiabakari, and in the first place - Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Health Center in my mission. I got the news from the family of Pier Giorgio that the doctor will be visiting hospitals in Africa, including Tanzania, which cooperate with his hospital in Rome. So, I contacted him promptly and was surprised how kind and forthcoming the doctor was to the idea of coming to Kiabakari while in Mwanza. To the extent that he decided to use his vehicle and did not demand that I come to pick them up. How cool is that?! So, the doctor and his wife came yesterday evening and left this morning after visiting all our institutions in Kiabakari. I will not go into details of our conversations, but they left me with overwhelmingly positive feelings and a solid conviction that this may be a genuine breakthrough I was praying for for too long. And that the cooperation between Bambino Gesù hospital in Rome and our health center may become reality. We must pray for this to happen. And trust the Lord for whom nothing is impossible! They left just a few hours ago but I'm still mesmerised and pinch myself if it was not a dream. Thank you, oh Lord, thank you, Pier Giorgio!