On 3 February, the eve of the liturgical commemoration of St Mary De Mattias, a celebration of the 220th anniversary of the birth of St Mary De Mattias took place in the church of St Albert the Great in Wrocław. The church has been home to the Precious Blood Association for many years. The animator is Ms Basia Król.

The Adorers, led by the Provincial Superior Sr. Ewa Kleps ASC, and we, the members of the Precious Blood Community, were invited to the celebration. It was with great joy that we accepted Basia Król’s invitation, as once again we were able to participate together as a family of the Precious Blood.

The Eucharist was preceded by Adoration and the Chaplet to the Precious Blood.

Fr Faustin, the main celebrant of the Eucharist, welcomed all those who had come. As he said at the outset, the Mass would be celebrated as a thanksgiving for St Maria De Mattias and the members and supporters who venerate the Precious Blood of Jesus, with the request for new vocations to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Fr. Faustin said ‘Let us desire to ask the grace of holiness for ourselves’, because the Blood of Christ can transform a flawed person into a holy person.

The day also marked the liturgical commemoration of St Blaise, patron saint of throat patients. In addition to the blessing with the relic of St Maria De Mattias, we received a blessing with crossed candles.

After the Eucharist we all went to the Agape.  The Brown Franciscan Fathers were incredibly welcoming and joyful. The Adorers were smiling and singing.

The Adorers who participated in Rome in the beatification of John Merlini, presented us with an image of this Blessed and a litany to St Mary De Mattias. We were also able to draw lots prepared by the Sisters with profound thoughts – quotes of St. Maria De Mattias.