March 6, 2012, 3:28 pm
Mother Kolumba was joined by another sister to care for wounded insurrectionists at a local hospital.
This is the continuation of the story of the life of the Mother Maria Kolumba, foundress of the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. In our previous installment, Sister Kolumba experienced both joys and sorrows: the monastic life of the Sisters of the Third Order began, and new sisters began to join the order, yet in that time she grieved the death of her generous benefactor as well as the Bishop of Przemyśl.
The Reverend Mother Kolumba set out to collect supplies and resources for the convent, and the people she visited proved to be generous to her. Among the donations collected was a bell given to her from a Dominican, Father Wincenty, from the monastery of the Dominican Fathers.
Donations came from all directions to aid the construction of the convent. One donor, Mr. Popiel, offered an envelope to Fr. Leszczyński, containing money for their fund. Continue reading ‘Generosity Shown As Clouds of Civil Strife Gather’ »
March 5, 2012, 6:00 am
Róża Kolumba Bialecka
As the sun sends red and blue hues through the stained-glass windows into the convent chapel of the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, a dozen Sisters enter the chapel for their morning prayers. Their voices blend into invocations of praise as they chant the Liturgy of the Hours. Their white habits with black veils look crisp and tasteful in morning sun.
Our Sisters, whose members in North America can also be found in three other cities on the continent, were founded in Poland and have a most interesting beginning. Our work of Christian education and the care of others sprang from the zealous vision of our foundress, an amazing woman who was gifted with many graces and who laid the foundation of a worldwide religious congregation at the tender age of 19.
Mother Maria Rose Kolumba Bialecka was born August 23, 1838 in eastern Poland. At the age of 19 she entered the novitiate of Dominican Sisters in France. Shortly after making her first religious vows she returned to Poland to lay the foundation for the community of Sisters of the Dominican Third Order. Continue reading ‘How Is Mother Kolumba’s Dream Carried Out Today?’ »
February 28, 2012, 9:19 pm
Today's community in Wielowieś had humble beginnings.
This is the continuation of the story of the life of the Mother Maria Kolumba, foundress of the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. In our previous installment, Sister Kolumba was warmly received by those in the surrounding area, even among those who at first did not favor her venture.
After Sister Kolumba’s return from Nancy, France, she was blessed with a flow of generous donations. Cows, gifts of coupons for milk and meat, and monetary donations were given to her for the support of her foundation.
In August of that same year, 1861, the solemn opening of the Novitiate for the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Dominic took place. Father Leszczyński preached at their Mass, and thus their monastic life began. Continue reading ‘Heavy Crosses and Hope Mark the First Steps of the Congregation’ »
