My Mother CARMELITE

In the number of holy women in the church there are 3 sisters (Spanish, French and Hebrew, sister Stein), soon will appear another Holly Teresa from India, non Carmelite but similar love and strength, another exception which I propose to your kind attention is as paradox a person still alive. Please forgive my strange words, but I wish talking about my mother and I will not hesitate to call her also a CARMELITE. Carmelite from Polish countryside.

The reason I was starting such article was fatal news I got from Poland. My mother got cancer of lever, very fast progressing form. No hope to survive, such is opinion of doctors. She loosed conscience, took much drugs (morphine). Tragedy! These days myself as a victim of Russian secret service I am waiting 40 days in Japan for some decision or answer why as missionary priest I was expulsed, so I have many reasons to feel myself very uncomfortable. Anyway I am ready to go and see her. Far distance and expensive trip - it took time to arrange my travel and still waiting I have time to meditate about her and visit her in my soul!

I called her Carmelite. I will tell you why. There are 3 reasons: her patron was Teresa the little flower, she was born in small town Lubianki near famous Carmelite shrine Obory near Torun and she got vocation to be a nun!

From my childhood I remember big icon of st. Teresa in very little wooden house of my grandparents. I remember these deep eyes of Teresa, which were converting all the house in a little shrine. I was attracted very much visiting that place, it was mystery also my grand mother was a bit special. She was analphabet but she - had a knowledge - she was talking with souls, long time talking not only with holly pictures but also with photographs of relatives who were death long time ago so seriously and deep talks, I believe she was not a which but a mystic! My mother inherited grand mothers gifts - she was one of 6 survived children (3 were died), so it was not big loss when she declared a wish to be a Carmelite. She was planning that long time but also caring about education. She walked 12 km daily to the middle school and possibly it was a reason of sick of right ear. Operation was dangerous. Mother as seventeen years old girl loosed 50% hearing, also woman beauty - her face was damaged because some nerves destroyed by surgery (it happened in 50-ies). Her dream about monastery was also finished.

She became a teacher and during 10 years her face recovered. My father was 3 years younger also handsome man and very hurry-poet. They got marry and one year later I was born.

When I became a priest my mother talked me that all the time she was praying God accept me to be His Minister in the future, because she was not able serving Him. Pity I did not know before - my choice maybe a Carmel - never mind she took secret long time, but she cannot hide big faith in time of exchange and crisis in Poland. In difficult moments she was sending letters to USA, there was real nun an aunt from Linden (New Jersey) - even difficult to communicate - my mother was the only one from 6 brothers and sisters trying to contact America when it was a risk or even forbidden. We were 4 children and father was drinking much so in fact 5 children. Only her faith decide that family did not collapse, no divorce even much excuses to do so. All 4 children got high education and even adult people always asked her presence educating grand children. She also made pilgrimage to Russia to visit me and support in very beginning when I was really in trouble.

Every holidays she was preparing staying for me and 10 or even 40 visitors from my parishes. In Christmas time and Easter she was sending hundreds or thousends letters to benefactors asking support for my missionary activities. Real missionary - her silver hairs and many new sick she offered to God as she never had private plans only living for him. She offered first born son 3-times: to seminary, to mission in Russia and also when I was feeling I may be kicked out from Russia I told her: pray that I may go to China - she answered OK - I will do but please visit me sometime. It came the moment I wish and have to visit her as betrayer, who never answered her love sufficiently. So dear friends, please accept such a letter as small credit to her and all 30.000 polish mothers who offered their sons to the priesthood. I am venerating by telling you HER STORY about a million of another mothers which their missionary dreams realize in their children boys or girls. We know a bit about Margaret, mother of st. John Bosco, very known is holly couple parents of Teresa Martin. We talk much about family Kolbe etc. Today I am hurry to venerate still alive person Teresa from Poland, the Carmelite!

Please do not be surprise. This kind of ladies is worthy your attention.

One thing more. I believe: reading such text some of you may start praying. May God help her happy passing, or make miracle. We still have time to participate her soul.

Thank you mama everything you are. Everything you do. Maybe it is still not late to tell: I LOVE YOU. Please wait me - I am on my way to you.

Fr. Jarek Wisniewski, Japan

Ps. Polish original text translated by myself, please correct and forward to friendly people who like praying especially Carmelite nuns!