Meet Fr. Jósef Piela, M.S.

When did you first encounter La Salette?

(from left) Fr. Jósef Piela, M.S. and
La Salette Ministry in Rzeszow, PolandMy name is Fr. Jósef Piela, M.S. Idid my training in High School in Rzeszow, Poland That's where I met Fr. Bronislaw Fura, M.S., and the community of La Salette. It was for me a living witness which gave me the desire to become a La Salette Missionary. I arrived as a volunteer over 22 years ago! I worked in the laundry room with the Sr. Antoinette who gave me a good La Salette training! I came back later for a retreat.

So what was your background?

In 1981, I did a month of Postulancy and my year of novitiate in Debowiec near the Shrine of La Salette. I made my first vows in 1982. I was part of the first team of seminarians. We were eighteen. I did my two years of philosophy and four years of my theology in the University of Koszalinska in Krakow, Poland.

In 1986 I was ordained a deacon with fifteen other seminarians in Debowiec. I lived my diaconal year in Rzeszow, in the service of the parish with two other deacons. The following year, on May 9, 1987, we were ordained priests at the Shrine of Debowiec.

Where have you service in your priestly ministry?

For the next two years I served at the Parish of Jesus Crucified in Kobylanka, serving as a Youth Minister. I assisted with Religious Education, but I was also involved in outings, cycling trips and even table tennis tournaments! Then I arrived in Krakow where the church is built, next to the Koszalinska Scholasticate and the Parish House. Then I took a two-year refresher course in Rome for spiritual studies.

After that, I became pastor of our parish in Mragowo, in the northeastern part of Poland, about 80 km (50 miles) from Olsztyn. I providentially succeeded Fr. Bronislaw Fura, who had supported my desire to become a Missionary of La Salette. I served for six years in this parish (1993 to 1999) with three other fellow La Salettes with whom I became involved in the process of building a church. During the next several years I found myself again in Rzeszow as chaplain to our students. Then I went back to Krakow and then to Warsaw as a spiritual director in our formation team with future La Salette Missionaries.

What has your ministry at the Holy Mountain meant to you?
(from left) Fr. Jósef baptizing and working with youth
This is the third summer I have served here as a chaplain, ministering to our many Polish pilgrims. They testify that they are struck by our Shrine in this beautiful place in the heart of the Alpine peaks. Perhaps they initially come here out of curiosity but quickly realize that this is a place of prayer, reflection and renewal, of astonishing beauty, peace and grace, as this Holy Mountain effects me as well!

What does La Salette mean for you
and what words touch your heart?

La Salette is really the source of my life and my identity. I daresay that I have thoroughly enjoyed giving my life for La Salette. I am still moved by Mary’s invitation: "Come, near…" – an invitation to come closer both physically and spiritually as well. In her words, we are invited to approach our God.

This is the place where I have also had the pleasure of meeting other La Salette Missionaries from all over the world from both near and far. I realize how complex our ministry is here on the Holy Mountain and I admire my fellow La Salettes – Fathers, Sisters and Brothers – who are so deeply committed to this most important mission and ministry, continuing to tell Mary’s beautiful and challenging story and explaining her mission for all her children to hear.