The Michaelite Family was founded by Blessed Bronislaus Markiewicz in 1897. Born in 1842, feeling called by God to the priesthood, in 1863 he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest on 15 September 1867. A particularly gifted man, he held various pastoral ministries entrusted to him. Attracted by religious life, in November 1885, he left for Italy and had the joy of meeting Saint John Bosco, before whom, on 25 March 1887, he professed his religious vows. In 1892 he returned to Poland to take up the position of parish priest in Miejsce Piastowe, where he remained until his death on 29 January 1912.
Fr Markiewicz dedicated himself, in the spirit of St John Bosco, to the formation of poor and orphaned youth. He opened an Institute for them in Miejsce Piastowe in which he offered his students material and spiritual sustenance, preparing them for life with professional preparation in the workshops at the institute.
At the same time, wishing to transplant the intuitions and works of Don Bosco on Polish soil, Fr Markiewicz began to organise educational institutes and to gather candidates also for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. When Fr Markiewicz then began the foundation of his own institute, those same candidates became the first core group of the fledgling Women’s Congregation. Sister Anna Kaworek was chosen by the sisters as superior. Fr Markiewicz organised their lives according to the rule he himself prepared, very similar to the rule of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
Thus, today, both Congregations have about 300 members each, spread over four continents, and both are part of the Salesian Family, as the 21st (males) and 26th group (females) respectively.
During the visit, it was possible to honour the memory of Blessed Bronislaus Markiewicz and Servant of God Mother Anna Kavorek, buried in the chapels of the communities; to learn many other details of a centuries-old history, convulsed by the European wars, but so pastorally fruitful; to visit the structures of both presences; to admire the educational methodology of a particularly updated school; to share abundantly the life and mission of both Congregations, dedicated to the education and evangelisation of needy youth by all available means; and to appreciate the richness of the Salesian spirit that finds hearts and ways in which to make its way in the Church and in society, at the service of young people and ordinary folk.
“It is always about the same deep sense of family that unites us all. Always for the greatest glory of God" , Fr Playà commented on the occasion.
The Michaelite Family is to be found in Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Canada, the United States, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Argentina, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, the Antilles and Cameroon. "Work and temperance" and "the deep conviction of the presence of the God of life (Who is like God?)" give a specific meaning to a lifestyle totally given to young people, such as that of Don Bosco and Fr Markiewicz.
