Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
St. Jacek, a thirteenth century Dominican friar from Poland whose feast is celebrated today, is the heavenly patron for weightlifters (he managed to carry a heavy statue of Our Lady out of a burning Church) and those in danger of drowning (he walked across a raging river). Perhaps better known in the United States by his Latinized named—St. Hyacinth—he is also the patron saint of pierogi, those savory or sweet filled dumplings that are so common throughout Central and Eastern Europe. There’s an annual competition on St. Jacek’s Day in Krakow for the best pierogi, with the winner getting a statue of this great saint.
I’m a little surprised that my parents didn’t name me after him: Pierogi were not only Lenten staples for my family and the center of our Christmas eve meal—but also my personal favorite. Pierogi continue to be one of the “love languages” in my family.
For that reason, you won’t be surprised that I always make it a point to stop and pray in the chapel where St. Jacek is entombed whenever I’m in Krakow. I have consistently been impressed by how many college students and young couples I have found there praying for his intercession—whether before exams or just before a night out on the town. Sadly, however, science hasn’t found a way to pipe into that chapel the requisite aroma of butter and onions.
Google tells me that the Polish equivalent of “holy cow” remains “Swiety Jacek z pierogami”—St. Jacek and his pierogi! Perhaps we could even hear that phrase uttered in the vicinity of Holy Cross in Northeast Minneapolis, where a Mass is celebrated in Polish each Sunday.
If you had been at Holy Cross yesterday, you would have had the opportunity to participate in our Archdiocesan World Mission Rosary, sponsored by the Center for Mission. Under the direction of Deacon Mickey Friesen, the Center for Mission is tasked locally with promoting and coordinating mission outreach throughout our archdiocese and helping make sure that we remain connected with the missionary efforts of our global church.
To mark the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, the Center for Mission launched a rotating recitation of the World Mission Rosary, highlighting a different continent each month. It began last month at our Native American parish, Gitchitwaa Kateri in Minneapolis (where prayers were offered for missions and missionaries connected with the Americas), while yesterday’s recitation at Holy Cross focused its attention on missionaries connected with Europe. The next World Mission Rosary, focusing this time on Oceania, will be at St. Richard in Richfield on September 20 following the 1 p.m. Mass.
You might recall that the World Mission Rosary was introduced by soon-to-be-beatified Archbishop Fulton Sheen (a product of our St. Paul Seminary!) as a way to remind Catholics to pray for those working in the mission field and for all who support those efforts. Each decade of the World Misson Rosary is dedicated to a different mission area represented by brightly colored beads: Red for the Americas, white for Europe, blue for Oceania, green for Africa, and yellow for Asia. Since its introduction in 1951, World Mission Rosaries have been made and prayed across the globe.
This summer, Catholics across the nation (and across the archdiocese) have been busily making World Mission Rosaries to be distributed at the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Archbishop Sheen was not only an exceptionally gifted evangelizer but also a great advocate for the Church’s missions. He served as national director of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith in New York City from 1950 to 1966.
If you are able to generously join in the effort to make rosaries to be distributed at his beatification, you can find details on our website and deliver rosaries to the Archdiocesan offices by September 1.
Because of Archbishop Sheen’s connection to our seminary, and as a member of the Board of the Pontifical Mission Societies, I’m particularly looking forward to attending the upcoming beatification festivities in St. Louis and Peoria—of course with a World Mission Rosary made in our archdiocese in my pocket!
As we approach the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday (October 18), please join me in praying that our archdiocesan celebration might bear fruit this year for all of the missionaries from our archdiocese and for all who support the missions so generously.
For that reason, you won’t be surprised that I always make it a point to stop and pray in the chapel where St. Jacek is entombed whenever I’m in Krakow. I have consistently been impressed by how many college students and young couples I have found there praying for his intercession—whether before exams or just before a night out on the town. Sadly, however, science hasn’t found a way to pipe into that chapel the requisite aroma of butter and onions.
Google tells me that the Polish equivalent of “holy cow” remains “Swiety Jacek z pierogami”—St. Jacek and his pierogi! Perhaps we could even hear that phrase uttered in the vicinity of Holy Cross in Northeast Minneapolis, where a Mass is celebrated in Polish each Sunday.
If you had been at Holy Cross yesterday, you would have had the opportunity to participate in our Archdiocesan World Mission Rosary, sponsored by the Center for Mission. Under the direction of Deacon Mickey Friesen, the Center for Mission is tasked locally with promoting and coordinating mission outreach throughout our archdiocese and helping make sure that we remain connected with the missionary efforts of our global church.
To mark the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, the Center for Mission launched a rotating recitation of the World Mission Rosary, highlighting a different continent each month. It began last month at our Native American parish, Gitchitwaa Kateri in Minneapolis (where prayers were offered for missions and missionaries connected with the Americas), while yesterday’s recitation at Holy Cross focused its attention on missionaries connected with Europe. The next World Mission Rosary, focusing this time on Oceania, will be at St. Richard in Richfield on September 20 following the 1 p.m. Mass.
You might recall that the World Mission Rosary was introduced by soon-to-be-beatified Archbishop Fulton Sheen (a product of our St. Paul Seminary!) as a way to remind Catholics to pray for those working in the mission field and for all who support those efforts. Each decade of the World Misson Rosary is dedicated to a different mission area represented by brightly colored beads: Red for the Americas, white for Europe, blue for Oceania, green for Africa, and yellow for Asia. Since its introduction in 1951, World Mission Rosaries have been made and prayed across the globe.
This summer, Catholics across the nation (and across the archdiocese) have been busily making World Mission Rosaries to be distributed at the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Archbishop Sheen was not only an exceptionally gifted evangelizer but also a great advocate for the Church’s missions. He served as national director of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith in New York City from 1950 to 1966.
If you are able to generously join in the effort to make rosaries to be distributed at his beatification, you can find details on our website and deliver rosaries to the Archdiocesan offices by September 1.
Because of Archbishop Sheen’s connection to our seminary, and as a member of the Board of the Pontifical Mission Societies, I’m particularly looking forward to attending the upcoming beatification festivities in St. Louis and Peoria—of course with a World Mission Rosary made in our archdiocese in my pocket!
As we approach the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday (October 18), please join me in praying that our archdiocesan celebration might bear fruit this year for all of the missionaries from our archdiocese and for all who support the missions so generously.
Fruitful Beyond Biology: The Adventure of an Open Heart (Aug. 18 and 19)
Alicia and Kory LaCroix are the grateful parents of seven children through birth, adoption and foster care. Be inspired by this heroic couple who will share how God led their family to welcome children beyond biology, beginning a journey that has transformed their faith and family life.
Righteous Relief: Addressing Pain and Suffering From the Heart of the Church (Sept. 1)
Pain and suffering are often treated solely with pharmacological approaches that presuppose that the human person is just a material being, and that the body is a kind of machine. The Catholic approach to pain and suffering does not, by contrast, rely solely on spiritual remedies, but follows an integrated vision of the human person as body and soul.
Pain and suffering are often treated solely with pharmacological approaches that presuppose that the human person is just a material being, and that the body is a kind of machine. The Catholic approach to pain and suffering does not, by contrast, rely solely on spiritual remedies, but follows an integrated vision of the human person as body and soul.
Missionary to his own people
For Father Joseph Kureh, the call to make disciples of all nations means ministering to his own people in a new parish and nation: St. Bernard in St. Paul.
Pope Leo XIV coin
The 266th successor of Peter's coins have been minted in Vatican City. This is the first time coins have been issued from the Vatican in nearly a decade.
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Living holiness: The witness of Blessed Stanley Rother
Archbishop Hebda reflects on the life and witness of Blessed Stanley Rother. Then, hear clips from a special 2017 interview with the late Archbishop Flynn, in which he shares personal insights into Blessed Stanley's holiness, courage, and deep love for the people he served. As a new film about Blessed Stanley’s life approaches, discover what his example can teach us about living a life of faith and service.
Visit Practicing Catholic to listen on your favorite podcasting platform. Listen Friday at 9 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., or Sunday at 2 p.m. on Relevant Radio 1330AM.
Only One Thing Is Necessary: How Catholic Families Can Strive To Be United in This Life and the Next
Józef and Wiktoria Ulma and family
Holy examples for living family life
"More recently, I made the pilgrimage to Markowa, Poland, to pray at the tomb of the Ulmas, seeking their intercession that this pastoral letter might bear some pastoral fruit in our Archdiocese. The Ulmas were simple farmers from Southeastern Poland (living in the same diocese as my grandmother’s family, the Archdiocese of Przemysl). Along with their six children (and one on the way), they were brutally killed by the Nazis in 1944 for having given refuge on their farm to Jews who were fleeing from the persecution of the Third Reich."
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
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Aug. 17, 2026