Day: July 13, 2008

Poland - Polish - Polonia, Political

Sad news from Poland – Bronislaw Geremek killed in a car crash

From the BBC: Polish ex-minister Geremek dies

Bronislaw Geremek, a key anti-communist dissident and former Polish foreign minister, has been killed in a car crash, police have announced.

Mr Geremek, 76, died when the car he was in hit an oncoming vehicle in western Poland on Sunday afternoon.

He was one of the key advisers to Lech Walesa, the Solidarity union leader which helped topple communist rule.

Mr Geremek was foreign minister from 1997-2000 and European Parliament member since 2004.
Mr Geremek died when his Mercedes car collided with a van near the western town of Lubien, police spokeswoman Hanna Wachowiak said.

It was not immediately clear on whether he was driving at the time.

The former foreign minister – a historian by training – oversaw his country’s accession to Nato.

Also reference Wikipedia’s article and Robert Strybel’s article on Dr. Geremek for additional background.

Fathers, PNCC

July 13 – Mar Jacob of Serugh from A Homily on the Reception of the Holy Mysteries

When the Body of the Son of God is set upon His table, bring in before Him all thy petitions earnestly. Reveal thy plagues, O thou sick soul, and show thy diseases, and pour out tears before the table of the Godhead. In that hour when the priest sacrifices the Son before His Father, gird thyself, enter, O soul, and ask for pardon with a loud voice. Say to the Father, “Behold Thy Son, a sacrifice to reconcile Thee: pardon me in Him who died for me and was buried. Behold Thine Oblation: accept from my hands Him who is from Thee.”

With these affections stand, O sinner, at the time of the Mysteries; and beg mercy and receive forgiveness, and then go forth. At the hour of the sacrifice, when it is being offered for thee, do not leave him who is offering and depart. When they drive out “him who has not received the sign,” do thou enter; keep thyself within and hearken to the whisperings of the priest, and hear how he begs mercy for sinners and pardons them; and if thou art in need of pardon, why then dost thou go out? Another bows down and asks mercy for thee; why art thou in haste to wander among the markets in that hour? When those who have not received the sign of the Bridegroom enter her, the Church drives them out and shuts the doors until He comes. She fears lest He should find in her a stranger when He appears in her, and she removes and expels all externs. The bride shuts the doors and eats the Bridegroom who has espoused her; and no stranger may taste of Him, for (this) she does not permit to him.