# Prelate Stanisław Czartoryski (1902–1982)

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Dean of the Kraków Metropolitan Chapter; brother of Adam Czartoryski

Fr. Dr. Stanislaw Czartoryski

Apostolic Pronotary, Dean-Infułat of the Metropolitan Chapter of Krakow, during the years of occupation 1939-1946 pastor of the parish in Maków Podhalański, having lived to the age of 80, in the 57th year of his priesthood, died in Krakow on August 9, 1982.

He rests in Maków cemetery, among the beloved mountains and forests, among the people to whom he ministered in their most difficult hours.

For his funeral, His Holiness Pope John Paul II sent the following telegram:

"I participate with my heart and prayers in the grief of the Krakow Church at the death of Monsignor Stanislaw Czartoryski. The Giver of all life has called to Himself a good shepherd, a priest and social activist, a noble educator and merciful Samaritan, who through faithful service of love so well deserved himself and the entire Archdiocese. May Christ the Lord, Victor over death, grant him eternal peace and joy, giving him a share in His resurrection. MAY ETERNAL REST BE GRANTED TO HIM, O LORD. To all those whose heart is filled with sorrow at this death, I wholeheartedly give my apostolic blessing, embracing in it the participants of the funeral ceremony. John Paul II, Pope"

"The Good Shepherd"

Born in Pelkinie (near Jaroslaw) in 1902, son of Witold and Jadwiga Dzieduszycka. A descendant of the old senatorial family, which over centuries gave Poland people of great culture, great patriotism, statesmen, primates, and patrons of the arts. A family that made the nation the heir to its magnificent collections of paintings, sculpture, and architecture, so that future generations might draw knowledge and culture from the memories of the past.

Fr. Stanislaw, mindful of the great national traditions in his family home, after completing secondary school as a young man of 18, in his own equipment, on his own horse from his own stables, volunteered to take part in the war in defense of the homeland's borders against an invader. This was the year 1920. For his conduct and bravery, he was then decorated with the Cross of Valor.

After the 1920 campaign he undertook studies in the Theological Faculty of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow; upon completion, in the year 1925 he received ordination from the hands of the then-Ordinary of Krakow, His Eminence Prince Adam Stefan Sapieha.

The atmosphere of the family home in Pelkinie bore fruit. Besides Fr. Stanislaw, two of his brothers dedicated themselves to the priesthood, and one sister dedicated herself to God in religious life. (One of them, Fr. Michael Czartoryski, a Dominican—during the Warsaw Uprising he fulfilled the duties of Chaplain of AK units and as such died in that same uprising, shot along with severely wounded AK soldiers, with whom, despite a call to leave the hospital, he remained.)

After completing the Faculty of Theology of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow and after receiving priestly ordination, Fr. Stanislaw went to his first pastoral post at Niegowica near Gdów, where he worked a full two years. Here his organizational abilities, social commitment, and skill and inclination for contact with youth already became evident, so he was directed for further studies in Rome. His five-year stay there was crowned with two doctorates: a doctorate in Sacred Theology and a doctorate in Philosophy.

Upon his return from Rome, His Eminence Archbishop Adam Stefan Sapieha entrusts to him the youth preparing for the priesthood—the greatest treasure that any diocesan administrator possesses. He is appointed vice-rector of the Krakow Seminary.

In 1939—the September campaign—the invasion of Nazi hordes on Polish soil paralyzed all national, social, and ecclesiastical initiatives, suspending the action of all diocesan structures. Fr. Stanislaw, by the decision of the Ordinary, is directed to Maków Podhalański to serve as pastor and administrator of the parish.

II. Priest—Pastor—Social Activist.

The parish of Maków Podhalański at that time encompassed the town of Maków and four villages: Białka, Grzechynia, Juszczyn, and Żarnówka, inhabited by approximately 12,000 souls. Located in the high and middle Beskid Mountains, the terrain was difficult. The most remote corners of the parish such as Białka-Maryniaki, Grzechynia-Magórka, Juszczyn-Polany, Maków-Śpiewle, Carce, Działy, formed an enormous semicircle with a radius of 10 kilometers. On the edge of this semicircle stood the parish church. The country roads were stony; access was only by wagon and time-consuming. These roads on Sunday mornings filled with people hurrying to their parish church.

The population was entirely agricultural, the land not rich, stony, the farms in a large proportion subdivided and not providing full livelihood, so people supplemented their income through side production of wooden items, the production of wooden buckets, watering cans, scoops (Grzechynia), wheelbarrows (Białka), wicker and juniper baskets (Żarnówka, Maków) being popular. These products were sold at fairs in Sucha, Maków, and Jordanów.

A characteristic of this poor, hardworking people was deep attachment to the homeland and to custom, on a deeply religious foundation. Yet there were also negative traits: drunkenness, quarrelsomeness, contentiousness (fights at weddings), mendicity. However, these were largely balanced by great deference to pastors, the authority of the pastor, attachment to the faith inherited from their fathers, and love for their parish church. One might say that this tradition of Christian-Catholic custom—even the emotional attachment to the parish and their pastors—was largely the engine of their conduct.

At the head of such a parish community in November 1939 stood the young 36-year-old Fr. Stanislaw Czartoryski. He came from the city to the countryside, from the cathedral heights, from college walls, rich in theological and philosophical knowledge but with not much parochial practice, he came among simple but sincere people.

After a short time he learned to appreciate this heritage properly. He understood that the enormous fund of the parishioners' attachment to their parish church and the consequences flowing from it were the achievement of his predecessors: worthy and saintly pastors—(he expressed this in many statements)—such as Fr. Harch, Fr. Górkiewicz, and above all Fr. Prälat J. Leja. Their example, their work, their wholehearted dedication to pastoral service, their ability to understand the concerns and problems of this people left an indelible mark. The fruit of their effort became visible. It also became visible to the young pastor that he should do everything to not squander this heritage, to become worthy of his predecessors. This became the guiding line of his pastoral ministry in Maków. To the wealth of his knowledge he consistently added the effort of ever deeper understanding of the internal as well as external needs of the entrusted parishioners.

To better evaluate and understand the hierarchy of these needs, it became customary—which was then a novelty—to have weekly meetings of the priests engaged in pastoral ministry—vicars, catechists, and often invited lay people—with their pastor. The fruit of these meetings was diverse and rational adaptation of pastoral methods to current needs. To better assess these needs, the pastor appointed something of a deputy for each village, and so for Białka Fr. Sadusia, for Grzechynia Fr. Walenia, for Juszczyn Fr. Kościółka, for Żarnówka Fr. Kołodziejczyka. This was a worthwhile move, especially in occupation conditions which made movement and contact more difficult, as each priest—to a certain extent—was responsible for his village, especially since he was also the catechist there, which provided better contact with the community.

The new pastor was exceptionally well aware of what the Church meant to people in those tragic, dark years of occupation. It was then a synonym for Polishness, it concentrated the entire patriotic, national movement. So all his pastoral effort went in this direction. The walls of the church like a hen gathered the gathered people who rushed in with such eagerness, almost spontaneously. Here they were fed the Word of God, always well prepared. For Lenten retreats, Advent retreats, Sorrowful Mysteries, forty-hour devotions, the best preachers were invited. The Word of God preached by them, fulfilling its proper role, at the same time was an expected strengthening, was hope and faith in national values, was Poland.

At this time evening Masses were introduced in the church, which was then an extraordinary novelty. Their purpose was in these difficult times to make participation in Sunday Mass as widely available as possible. Their—to those times extraordinary—nature made each one a sort of patriotic experience. The church could usually not hold all the participants. The repertory of hymns was then specially selected. Each melody flowing from the choir found deep resonance in the hearts and minds. Besides purely religious hymns, the organ preludes contained motifs of national music—Moniuszko's, Chopin's. Only in the church could one then "smuggle" a hymn or a word, and these evening masses were accordingly selected to become light, hope, encouragement. This was then a necessity. From these small crumbs one's conviction about "She who has not perished..." was strengthened, and then, when identification with "Her" threatened with severe reprisals, caused hecatombs of victims, the Church, paying honor to the One God, united with it profound patriotism and love of the homeland, for which so many of Her sons had shed blood...

The pastor was specially sensitized to good, spontaneous singing in the church. He was aware of the role it played. In his frequent words from the altar he warmly encouraged it. He rejoiced at every initiative to teach a new hymn. During his tenure the hymn repertory of our parish church was enriched with such pearls as:

"Closer to You, O God Our Father..." (melody from the sinking "Titanic") "Through Your sorrowful death, O King of eternal glory..." (with the refrain: "Come like dawn over Polish lofts...") "O Christ turn Your sorrowful head in the crown of thorns." "Bless, Mother, our poor land..." "O God, who art in heaven..." (partisan hymn) etc.

The condition of the nation at that time, the pastor's encouragement, the content of the hymns created such a climate that with such vigor and such enormous commitment we probably will never sing again. In this climate each such hymn became as it were a national anthem.

III. Noble Educator—Merciful Samaritan.

Fr. Dr. Stanislaw Czartoryski, the pastor of Maków, from the beginning of his stay in Maków became the soul of all initiatives in the town. Of course, initiatives aimed at the common good. About him it was said that he was somewhat like one who "descended from the Vatican" among the people. In the parish office it was rather difficult to find him; he was always somewhere in town. He had an exceptional gift for using people. Standing himself somewhat to the side, he was really the initiator of all social undertakings. Of him José Miśkowiec, "Maciek" from the 56th AK Division, writes in his memoirs:

"Fr. Dr. Stanislaw Czartoryski, pastor of the central and largest parish in the area, undertook the difficult task of linking and coordinating actions of a patriotic, educational, and charitable character. Here plans were born, here thoughts and actions concentrated. Here various people gathered, organized or not, people wanting to act, wanting actively to involve themselves in the current of the struggle for survival, for preservation of national values, for freedom and Poland. Here also the Polish authorities—municipal and rural, imposed by the occupant—sought help and counsel, here secret occupation orders were discussed to anticipate in time, save, organize resistance, here decisions about Polish authorities' conduct were made, here tragic negotiations and bargaining with the occupant chiefs of police and Gestapo often took place, here thanks to the political wisdom, unbending stance, and courage of the pastor it was possible to avert many dangers, save human lives, outwit the authorities and beat them with their own weapons. Just as from the entire Province threads of liberation converged at the residence of Archbishop Sapieha of Krakow, so from the entire Babia Góra region they converged at the Maków parish. Day and night the doors were open to all; here everyone could speak freely, receive spiritual and material help, here overheated heads of youth could cool, guided by wisdom to avoid reprisals and unnecessary losses, here found asylum a hunted, sought person, from here directed and placed in a safe place. Here were issued "fictitious" death certificates to end searches, various birth, marriage, and birth records. Here were born ideas introduced into practice: secret teaching, organization of health services and hospitals, social assistance, help for prisoners, evacuees and homeless. Here social-religious teams of patriotic character, parish choir, and theatrical groups were established. Here state anniversaries were organized, Polish traditions and songs were cultivated, Christmas carols, carol evenings, academic ceremonies, Oplatek meals—this gave hope, made it possible to survive. And yet there was no lack of provocateurs and spies, posing as various organizations (former monk Wilczek, policeman Strzelczyk, town hall employee Antosiak and others). How they were unmasked, led astray, tricked—here lies the secret of the wisdom, knowledge of people, and great courage of Fr. Czartoryski and his collaborators. And Fr. Czartoryski had wonderful and devoted collaborators, trustworthy people from Maków, from Krakow, from all over Poland."

Acting comprehensively and patriotically, but always pastorally, for the most remote corners of the parish he organized devotions and Masses at field altars, thus creating for those who could not enter the church for various reasons the opportunity to participate in Mass and receive the sacraments. This was the case in the memorable year 1943 at the Juszczyn Glades, where in a Mass organized there nearly the entire AK partisan band based in the nearby forests of Policy and Babia Góra participated. They all received the sacraments. This was the case in Żarnówka and at Przysłopie, this was the case at Magórka in Grzechynia. In these places difficult of access for the Germans, help given to wandering partisan and conspiratorial units was invaluable, giving them strength so that despite the terror of war and the necessity of fighting in difficult, dangerous conditions they maintained the dignity of a human being and a Pole. Polish patriotic hymns, the Word of God, "God Who Hast Protected Poland" at the conclusion, created an unrepeatable, how elevated atmosphere. The pastor usually did not go alone but took priests with him for assistance. Additionally, in these "expeditions" participated among others Fr. Kościółek, Fr. Waleń, Fr. Prof. Salamucha, Fr. Woroniecki—a Dominican, and others.

Besides these exceptional actions at "field altars," former sporadic trips with Masses to chapels in Białka, Grzechynia, Juszczyn, Żarnówka lower and upper, were transformed into systematic Sunday meetings with the people there. Mass, Polish hymns, administration of the sacraments, the Word of God, direct contact with smuggled news from the world—had as their purpose, besides pastoral values, to sustain the Polish spirit, unite the people with those fighting, give hope and faith.

Known and written in golden letters in the history of those times is the figure and magnificent personality of the Ordinary of Krakow, Prince Archbishop Adam Stefan Sapieha. A great Pole and patriot. He patronized on the terrain of the entire Governorate all actions aimed at the defense of the oppressed nation, strengthening its spirit, all pastoral and charitable activity. Fearless and unyielding in his statements in defense of the population of the General Government. His protests and struggles with Governor General Frank, State Secretary Bühler, are well known.

The pastor of Maków, Fr. Dr. Stanislaw Czartoryski, was in close contact with his superior. His inspirations and advice were helpful to him, so he often invited the Prince to Maków. The Prince frequently visited the Maków rectory privately, but official visits also took place. One such visit was a canonical visitation in 1943. The administration of the sacrament of confirmation is one of the main parts of a canonical visitation. This time for Żarnówka confirmation was organized at Przysłopie. And again the Word of God full of faith and encouragement, people pressing in from all sides to their pastors, youth in national costumes, "God Who Hast Protected Poland"—left a lasting mark and gave strength to survive.

With no less commitment the Pastor worked charitably through the organizations "Caritas" and the Red Cross. Here, with his efforts, came great help from the Krakow Archbishop Prince A. S. Sapieha. On behalf of "Caritas" voluntary collections of food (grain, potatoes, dairy products) were organized in the villages, which were distributed among the most needy. The church collection plate was often designated for "Caritas."

Help for the sick and wounded from the conspiracy and those in hiding was an impetus to organize medical assistance uncontrolled by the occupant, available at any time of day or night. The doctors of Maków (Dr. Ermich, Dr. Cieślicki, Dr. Stupnicki) upon Fr. Czartoryski's inspiration took on this task. In their offices they received everyone, without asking who they were or why. The rectory horses were always available when a doctor had to be taken to those in hiding.

In response to these growing needs came the idea of establishing a sick room. This happened in 1942. A house of the Sanietrzyks in the town square was rented for this purpose. The idea of a sick room transformed into a small hospital. The above-mentioned doctors held shifts, while the Sisters Seraphim undertook nursing and hospital administration. Treatment was free; the food of the sick was provided by RGO.

Over time the hospital was taken over by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and moved to the building of the former courthouse. It became a blessing for the surrounding population and a great opportunity for Maków, which was unfortunately squandered... The hospital in recent years was moved to Sucha Beskidzka.

It must be emphasized with force that at the beginning of the hospital in Maków stands the figure of the pastor Fr. Dr. S. Czartoryski. His first idea, his vision, and his skill in properly using the right people. And these people were the mentioned doctors, the Sisters Seraphim, the Burgomaster of Maków Mr. Harynek, the Secretary Mr. T. Smolik, Mrs. Trzosowa, Professor Kien and others.

It is difficult not to recall the shocking tragedy of the "Za Góra" settlement. On April 4, 1944, the Germans carried out a bloody pacification there. Forty people fell victims to the bestial action of the occupant. Eleven killed or burned on the spot, 16 shot in Juszczyn, buried there, the rest taken via Zakopane to camps, where all trace of them disappeared. A great patriotic manifestation in the first days of freedom was the funeral of these victims. Twenty-two coffins rested on the floor of the church in Maków. To the sound of the partisan hymn "O God, who art in heaven," significant words fell from the lips of Fr. Pastor in his homily: "... that someday the ashes of these innocently murdered victims of the occupant should not become for us a reproach, that we did not fight for such a Poland.... that we did not give our lives for such a Poland...."

Fr. Dr. Stanislaw Czartoryski did not neglect during the occupation so important an area as the education of the young generation for a future free Poland, in the scope of a comprehensive secondary school. Together with Fr. Sadusia, Fr. Kras, Professor Piotrowski (a WP officer), Professor Kien, Professor Trzos and his wife, Professor Kielarowa, he is the initiator and organizer of secret teaching. This gave impetus to organizing immediately after the war the Secondary School named after T. Kościuszko. And again at the beginning of this secondary school as well as its boarding house stands the figure of the Maków pastor along with director Jedliński, Mr. Karafat, and the above-mentioned professors of secret teaching. And again it might be said that the fact of organizing a secondary school in Maków was a great blessing for the community, a great opportunity for the town, which—as in the case of the hospital—was negligently squandered. The secondary school, as well as the economic technical school that arose after the war in Maków, were in the 1960s moved to Sucha.

In the side chapel of the Maków church on the wall hangs a large oil painting—a work of Professor Zelaski from Krakow. It depicts the presbytery of the Maków church. The altar is brightly illuminated; in the altar in a halo of light is the Icon of Our Lady of Maków; at the foot of the altar on a throne stands Prince Archbishop A. S. Sapieha, beside the throne the then-Pastor Fr. Dr. Stanislaw Czartoryski, surrounded by a praying people.

It is a painting commemorating a solemn act of dedication—offering the entire Krakow Archdiocese to the Mother of God. Such acts by the command of the Polish episcopate were after the war performed in each diocese in their main sanctuaries. The choice of Maków by His Eminence the Archbishop to perform this act was an extraordinary honor, as if a purposeful drawing of broader attention to the Maków Icon, a prophecy of its future coronation, and therefore it was immortalized on canvas. This act indirectly was also an extraordinary honor for the Maków pastor, as if a recognition of his multifaceted activity, a crowning of all his pastoral work in Maków. This happened in May 1946, the last year of Fr. Czartoryski's stay in Maków.

In conclusion, one might wonder whether a person so wholly devoted to social, patriotic, and charitable action will at the same time be a good administrator, a good manager, a good administrator of the parish, or simply find the time to effectively address these matters as well.

And here again triumphs his sense of properly assessing people and his skill in properly using them. Never, however important the social matters, did they take precedence over matters connected with his priesthood and pastoral ministry. His pastoral efforts and innovations were already mentioned on the first pages of this account. It must be added that during his entire stay in Maków he had wonderful priest assistants. These were: Fr. Bol. Sadué—later pastor of the parish of St. Florian in Krakow, now serving in Polish pastoral ministry in Austria; Fr. St. Kosowski, a prälat, currently pastor of the Church of SS. Peter and Paul in Krakow; Fr. Jan Kościółek, a prälat, later Spiritual Father of the Krakow Seminary, now pastor of the Church of St. Florian in Krakow; Fr. Andrzej Waleń, a prälat, long-time Dean of Spišský, later pastor in Kęty; Fr. Józef Kołodziejczyk, a prälat, now pastor of the church in Borek Fałęski.

In such a well-chosen team, cooperation, mutual understanding and support where pastoral matters were concerned were wonderful—to the measure of the pressing needs of the time. All these mentioned priest-assistants of Fr. Czartoryski are well remembered in the hearts of our Podhale people. They left an indelible mark. Their names, along with the name of their then-superior Fr. Czartoryski, brightly recorded the history of those dark years.

The parish office was responsibly run by W. Radwan, a local organist; for some time his collaborator was Fr. Kaz. Suder, now pastor of the Church of St. Anne in Krakow, and then a seminarian, student of the Krakow Seminary residing in Krakow as part of secret education.

The farm was very well managed by farmer Jan Kot. (A pair of horses, cattle, swine herd).

In the kitchen "Hanusia" wholly devoted to her "calling," Józia, Marysia and the famous "Adaś" the gardener.

A family atmosphere prevailed. Fr. Kanonik (as we then popularly called Fr. Pastor) was everywhere, interested in everything, both in the field and in the barn, he loved horses, was passionate about gardening. One had the impression that these interests of his were his relaxation, his relief after intense exhausting pastoral-social matters.

He was characterized by care for the entire church team. Repair of the church towers damaged during the fighting, repair of plaster, windows, care for liturgical vestments, concern for the preservation of numerous valuable votive offerings to the Image of Our Lady of Maków, beginning of the construction of a new organ, collection efforts related to it. (The first part of the organ—the first manual—was built by the Biernacki Company in Warsaw and burned in the company's warehouses during the Warsaw Uprising.)

His further significant achievement—as administrator—was the construction of a wall around the church square, leveling of the terrain around the church, drainage, and sewage for both the church and the square. With this he initiated the large investment projects undertaken later by his successors.

His diplomatic sense is to be credited with saving two of the three bells confiscated by the occupant.

Let us conclude this period of his life with a paraphrase of the saying: "Living a short life, he lived much time"—for truly his stay in Maków was not long, but how rich in consequences, it fell on the period of the greatest tragedy in our national history, when everything was crumbling to ruins, when they wanted to tear hope itself from our hearts. Fr. Dr. Stanislaw Czartoryski, then pastor of Maków, was able to be "all things to all people," his pastoral mission he understood broadly and in the most proper way, and thus in full he merited this evaluation as expressed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in his telegram: "a good shepherd, a priest and social activist, a noble educator, a merciful Samaritan."

Undoubtedly the "Maków period" so intensely lived left a permanent mark on his psyche, which was expressed in his wish that: "he rest in Maków cemetery, among the beloved mountains and forests—among the people to whom he ministered in their most difficult hours."

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POSTSCRIPT

In November 1946, by decision of the Administrator of the Archdiocese, Fr. Dr. Stanislaw Czartoryski was honored with the dignity of "Honorary Prälat of His Holiness," appointed a Capitular Canon, a member of the Krakow Chapter, and summoned to assume the position of "Director of the Department of General Pastoral Care at the Metropolitan Curia in Krakow."

In 1964 he was appointed Archdeacon of that Chapter, and finally in 1976 became its head as Dean-Infułat.

For some time he also served as rector of the Minor Seminary, first located in the cathedral buildings, later at ul. Manifestu Lipcowego 4.

His above-mentioned work with youth and his work as Director of the Department of General Pastoral Care—according to the words of the Holy Father—"...this faithful service of love"—deserves separate treatment.

His last—official—visit to Maków took place on October 18-19, 1980. He came to us at the invitation of the former Command and soldiers of the "Chełm" grouping, 12th pp. AK.

This Command and other partisan units organized "at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Maków a ceremony of the deposit of a votive offering: "as an expression of warm faith and gratitude to Divine Providence and our Hetmaness and Queen of Poland—for protection in the dark days of Nazi occupation."

The ceremony took place in three stages:

Saturday, October 18, 1980. In the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Maków, before Her altar, a solemn Mass with the participation of the people, guests, choir—celebrated and with a homily by Fr. Infułat Czartoryski—the deposit of the votive offering—"God Who Hast Protected Poland" An academic ceremony in the parish hall (in the "Barn") with speeches, choir performances, stories, partisan bigos stew. On Sunday, October 19, 1980, at the Malinowa hut, near the partisan memorial. Arrival by buses through Sidzina. Mass—Homily—Fr. Prälat Czartoryski Campfire—reminiscences—partisan hymns.

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Prepared on the basis of personal reminiscences and conversations with Fr. Prälat S. Czartoryski, and fragments of the reminiscences of Mr. Józef Miśkowiec, pseudonym "Maciek"

(signed)  Wł. Radwan from 1959 organist in Maków Podhalański