Who is who
Fr. Tadeusz Dajczer
Father Tadeusz Dajczer was born on August 10, 1931 in Pruszkow, near Warsaw. He was ordained to the Priesthood in 1955 in Warsaw, Poland. Father Tadeusz Dajczer died on the evening of September 8th, 2009, the feast of the Birthday of Our Blessed Mother, Mary.
After his ordination, he studied at The Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he obtained his D.D. Upon his return to Poland he established the Phenomenology of Religion Department at the Academy of Catholic Theology in Warsaw. In 1994, Mr. Lech Walesa, who at that time was the President of Poland, awarded him the title of Professor of Theological Sciences, the highest academic title given to outstanding university teachers and scientists.
A decisive moment took place in the life of Fr. Dajczer during his confession with St. Padre Pio that was the beginning of a search for sanctity for both himself and others. In contemporary culture when Christian and family life are threatened on many fronts, the author Father Dajczer wrote articles and books that emphasized to readers the most important thing is for spiritual life to thrive in contact with God Himself.
His book, The Gift of Faith, has attained one hundred-three editions all over the world since 1992. This book has been translated into twenty-eight languages and is issued in thirty five countries. Recently Fr. Dajczer completed a series of six books dedicated to the Eucharist.
Father Tadeusz Dajczer is one of the persons responsible for forming the Families of Nazareth Movement as a more formal means to promote the spirituality of communion of life with Christ through Mary.
Father Tadeusz was a beloved spiritual father and priest. May he rest in peace.
- Interview with FR. DAJCZER- ( 282kB .rtf)
- Wywiad z Ojcem Tadeuszem Dajczerem - ( 98kB .rtf)
Fr. Andrzej Buczel
Fr. Andrzej was born on October 6, 1951 in Warsaw, Poland. He was the only son of Wienczyslaw and Stanislawa. After completing high school in 1969, Fr. Andrzej was accepted as a student of the Metropolitan Major Seminary in Warsaw. On June 15, 1975 Deacon Andrzej was ordained to the Priesthood by Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski, the Primate of Poland for the Diocese of Warsaw-Praga.
During his years in the seminary, Fr. Andrzej specialized in psychology. The topic of his master's thesis was: "Religious Attitudes of the Warsaw Youth".
In 1989, he defended his Ph.D thesis in psychology. As a specialist in the field, Fr. Andrzej was appointed by his bishop as a teacher of philosophy in 1988 at the Papal Theological Institute in Warsaw. In 1990, he began teaching psychology in the School of Theology for Laity. Fr. Andrzej also began teaching courses in the Psychology of the Spiritual Life in the Primates Institute of Spiritual Life, as well as in the Metropolitan Major Seminary.
In his ministry, Fr. Andrzej was a very zealous confessor and spiritual director. He was also the co-founder of the Families of Nazareth Movement, in addition to serving as the spiritual leader of the youth and university students. He was catching the souls for Christ alone during long confessions by encouraging his penitents to radically follow Christ. Fr. Andrzej's popular saying was: "I am running for the last place!"
Among his friends, he was regarded as a true model of wisdom, goodness, sincerity and solidarity. Fr. Andrzej passed away on December 5, 1994 after a long time suffering from cancer.
Mr. Slawomir Cezary Biela
was born in Poland in 1956. He studied at the Warsaw University of Technology where he earned his Doctorate in Physics. He also studied at the Papal Faculty of Theology in Warsaw, especially in the field of the Theology of Spirituality.
Since 1977, S.C. Biela has been cooperating very closely with Fr. Tadeusz Dajczer, Professor of Theology, who is also the founder of the Families of Nazareth Movement. Together, through countless and laborious efforrts, they laid the foundation for the spirituality of this worldwide Movement.
Consequently, since 1986, S.C. Biela has been a member of the editorial team responsible for preparing various publications pertaining to the spiritual formation of the Movement's members. Because of their timely issues, these publications have been translated into fourteen languages.
His books,The Two Pillars, In the Arms of Mary, (also known as Praying self-abandonment to Divine Love), God Alone Suffices, Behold I Stand and Knock, Open Wide the Door to Christ have been published by In the Arms of Mary Foundation.
His latest book, The Two Pillars Biela presents and examines two of the most fundamental aspects of interior life: contrition and gratitude. He insightfully likens contrition and gratitude to two spiritual pillars in unexpected, thoughtprovoking ways. Additionally, Biela reminds us of the special gift and role of the Blessed Mother as God's instrument who assists the individual in growing in the authentic contrition and gratitude necessary when following the path to sanctity.
Fr. Jaroslaw Zaniewski
Father Zaniewski was born on May 15, 1962, in Dabrowa Bialostocka, Poland. In 1987 Fr. Jaroslaw came to the U.S. to the New Rochelle, NY, province of the Salesian Fathers, where he helped with youth and adult retreats in West Haverstraw, N.Y. In 1992 he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree at the Pontifical Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.
Fr. Zaniewski was ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 1993. As a young priest he spent summers working at camps, taught religion, and co-directed the youth ministry program at Don Bosco Preparatory, Ramsey, NJ, and also assisted at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Mahwah.
In 1998 Fr. Jaroslaw joined the Archdiocese of Newark and was assigned as a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Bayonne.
In 2002 Fr. Jaroslaw was assigned as the Rector of the Polish-American Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Orchard Lake, Michigan.
During his assignment Fr. Zaniewski was responsible for the spiritual growth and formation of the future priests for North American dioceses.
In addition, Fr. Jaroslaw is co-responsible for establishing the Families of Nazareth Movement in North America, which is dedicated to cultivating and fostering a strong personal spiritual life. He remains the Movement's spiritual guide and is involved in promoting the growth of the Movement.
Fr. Zaniewski also co-founded "In the Arms of Mary Foundation" for the publication and distribution of materials promoting the aims of the Families of Nazareth Movement.
Fr. Tomasz Grabara
Fr. Tomasz Grabara was born on January 6, 1968 in Czestochowa, Poland. Fr. Tomasz was ordained to the Priesthood in 1995 to the order of the Missionaries of the Holy Family.
Right after Ordination Fr. Tomasz worked for 4 years at Holy Family Parish in Rzeszow. During his assignment in Rzeszow, Fr. Tomasz also worked at a local middle school teaching religion.
In 1999 Fr. Tomasz was appointed as the Assistant of the Novice Master of the Missionaries of the Holy Family Polish Province.
In September 2005 Fr. Tomasz came to the U.S.A. to the American Province of the Missionaries of the Holy Family. After his arrival Fr.Tom stayed in San Antonio, Texas and year later he was transferred to St. Wenceslaus Parish in St. Louis, Missouri, where he stays till present day.