St. Michael, the Archangel - Feast day - September 29th The name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the warcry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes," and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. Although he is always called "the Archangel," the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the angels - as Prince of the Seraphim. St. Michael is the patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police and sickness.

Blessed Fr. Bronislaw Markiewicz

The Congregation was founded by the Servant of God, Father Bronislaw Markiewicz. Born on 13th July 1842 in Pruchnik near Jaroslaw in southeastern Poland, he was a priest of the Przemysl Diocese, and was a revered churchman recognised for his spirit of sacrifice. He was also a professor at the local Major Seminary. From the very beginning of his priestly life, he was particularly sensitive towards the religious, moral, and material negligence of children and youth and to the misery of simple people. He spoke strongly against the national vices, like alcoholism and social injustice. In his opinion the solution of social problems depended upon the proper education of young people and on changing the moral climate of the whole society.

Following the divine voice, he went to Italy and became a follower of Saint John Bosco. After seven years, in 1892, he returned to Poland and was put in charge of the parish in Miejsce Piastowe (southeastern Poland). In addition to his pastoral work, he provided a widespread educational system, which not only included academics but also dealt with the spiritual and physical growth of the children, in the houses established by him. He soon thought of founding a new religious congregation. On 23rd September, 1897, he petitioned the Bishop of Przemysl and the Pope to allow him to found the Congregation of St. Michael the Archangel. In spite of intensive efforts on his part, Father Markiewicz did not live to witness its approval. He died on 29th January, 1912.

On 29th September 1921, Adam Stefan Sapieha, Bishop of Krakow, issued the Erecting Decree of the Congregation. On 15th June, 1966, the Congregation was affirmed under Papal law. The beatification process of Father Br. Markiewicz was started in 1958. On 2nd July 1994, Pope John Paul II promulgated a decree that stated the heroism of the virtues of the Servant of God, Fr. Bronislaw Markiewicz.

Important dates from life and activities of the Founding Father and of the Congrgatoion of Saint Michael the Archangel

13.07.1842	Bronislaw Bonawentura Markiewicz born in Pruchnik near Jaroslaw.
15.09.1867	Ordained a priest in the Przemysl Cathedral by Bishop Antoni Monastyrski.
1867 - 1885	Served as vicar in Hart and at the Przemysl Cathedral. Studied at the Department of Philosophy at the University in Lwow and in Kraków. He became parish priest in Gac, and after two years in Blazowa. From 1882 a professor of pastoral theology in Major Seminary in Przemysl.
30.11.1885	Went to Turin to Salesian Fathers.
01.01.1886	Started his noviciate with Salesian Father in San Beningo Canavese near Turin
25.03.1887	Made vows which were accepted by Father John Bosco. He worked in Italy for some time.
28.03.1892	Aa a member of the Salesian Society, he arrived at Miejsce, which under his influence later changed its name to "Miejsce Piastowe".
06.04.1892	Took charge of the parish of Miejsce. Beginnings of the orphanage at the rectory
29.09.1897	After a visit of Father Moses Veronesio - a Salesian priest from Italy - and his suggestions, Father Markiewicz applied to the Bishop of Przemysl and to the Holy Father Leo XIII to allow him to found a new Congregation.
19.12.1897	Removed from the list of Salesian Society members. From now on, stayed under jurisdiction of Bishop of Przemysl.
14.04.1898	The Statues of the "Moderation and Work" Society were affirmed.
16.07.1898	The first issue of the monthly periodical "Moderation and Work" was published.
24.04.1899	Pope Leo XIII's blessing for the "Moderation and Work".
02.08.1903	The orphanage and school was founded in Pawlikowice.
29.01.1912	The death of Father Bronislaw Markiewicz, who at that time already, had a reputation of being a holy man.
01.02.1912	Memorial service of Father Bronisla Markiewicz in Miejsce Piastowe with participation of Bishop Karol Fischer.
29.09.1921	FOUNDING OF THE CONGREGATION OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL IN THE ARCHIDIOCESE OF KRAKOW BY BISHOP ADAM STEFAN SAPIEHA.
12.10.1922	Bishop Jozef Sebastian Pelczar affirmed the first Constitution of the Michaelite Fathers in the Diocese of Przemysl.
21.08.1928	Bishop Anatol Nowak began the Congregation of the Mivhaelite Sisters.
05.05.1956	Michaelite Sisters received the Decree of Praise from the Holy See.
08.12.1958	Bishop Franciszek Barda ordered the commencenment of informational proceedings preliminary to the beatification of the Founding Father.
28.04.1963	Closing of the informational proceedings in Przemysl and submission of the gathered documentation to the Holy See.
15.06.1966	Michaelite Fathers received the Decree of Praise from the Holy See.
29.01.1989	Affirmation of the new Constitutions of the Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel.
05.05.1990	Ceremony of transfering the remains of the Founding Fathers from the parish cemetery to the Church of the Congregation.
02.07.1994	Pope John Paul II promulgated a decree stating the heroism of the virtues of the Founding Father.
08.12.1995 08.12.1996	The Marian Year in the Congregation to celebrate the centenary of the presence of the Statue of Mary, Queen of Poland, in the mother house of the Congregation in Miejsce Piastowe.
1996 /1997	Seventy-fifth anniversary of the Congregation.
07.11.1998	Centenary of monthly magazine "Moderation and Work".
13.06.1999	Beatification of the Michaelite Martyrs, Servant of God: Father Wladyslaw Bladzinski and Father Wojciech Nierychlewski.