108 Fr. Walter Ciszek – “The Mass Gave Us Strength”

Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J., (1904-1984) was born in Shenandoah, PA. He entered the Society of Jesus, and soon after he volunteered to be—after his ordination—a missionary to Russia. Ordained in 1937, he was assigned to a Parish in Albertyn, Poland. After the Russian invasion of Poland, he went with another priest toward Russia, in search for work. But the conditions were miserable, and the prospect very dark. Fr. Ciszek was faced with a terribly disappointing situation. In the midst of that desolation, the only strength was the occasional celebration of the holy Mass, in secret and in the woods… His priesthood, and the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist helped Fr. Ciszek persevere through terrible hardships. What is there in the Mass, what is there in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ that can give us such interior strength and endurance?

- Fr. Walter Ciszek’s LIFE story can be read in the book: Walter Ciszek, With God in Russia, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1997.

- Fr. Walter Ciszek’s spiritual commentary to his story (and the quote I read in the episode) can be found in:  Walter Ciszek, He Leadeth Me, Image, New York, 1973.

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Visit the Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Planning, recording, editing and publishing by Fr. Patrick Wainwright, MC.

- Gear: Shure MV7 USB dynamic microphone

- Intro music from pond5.com