Friday, November 7, 2025
On Sunday, November 2, a ceremony of the blessing of the image of the Servant of God, Brother Antoni Kowalczyk, OMI took place, at Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonton.
When Brother Antoni served in Edmonton, he visited the Polish parish and was highly regarded by the parishioners at that time. The memory of him is still alive among the parishioners, as evidenced by his new portrait (funded by Knights of Columbus), but also by the regular devotions and prayers of the faithful. His tomb on Mission Hill at an Oblate cemetery in St. Albert outside of Edmonton is a place of numerous visits.
It is the Knights of Columbus from councils at both Polish Oblate parishes in Edmonton, but also in other locations, that play a role in cultivating the memory of Brother Antoni. They chose him as their patron. Some of their membership take care of the graveside of the Servant of God and the intentions placed on his grave.
His portrait hangs in the side aisle of the church. It has been recently moved from a former Oblate chapel used by Brother Antoni, which can be seen in the photos below.
(TJ/PN; photos: Bogusława Kazek)
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Antoni Kowalczyk was born on June 4, 1866, in Dzierżanów, into a devout family of poor farmers. During his childhood and youth, he often visited the nearby Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Lutogniew near Krotoszyn.
Work and vocation
When he turned 18, he had to start helping to support his family, later also working in factories in Germany. It was there that he had an accident and lost his sight. He was miraculously healed during the Way of the Cross, as he often recalled later.
In Germany, he also came into contact with the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Thanks to their help, he began his studies at St. Charles College in Valkenburg, run by the Oblates. He entered the novitiate and took his vows as a religious brother. While working on a mission in Canada, Brother Anthony suffered a serious accident in 1897: a machine crushed his right hand. Despite medical treatment, it had to be amputated. Nevertheless, he continued to run the monastery farm for some time.
An example of Christian life
In 1911, he was sent to Edmonton. There, at St. John's Juniorate, he spent the rest of his life. In this monastery, young boys took their high school exams and made the decision to devote their lives to God in missionary work. For almost 36 years, Brother Anthony ran the laundry and boiler room, kept the monastery and its surroundings tidy, and was also the sacristan. Many juniors owed their formation to him in some way. He set a good example of conscientiousness, prayer, and perseverance, and he served with good advice, prayer, and penance, undertaken quietly and in secret. Until the end of his life, he retained a special devotion to the Mother of God. He often recited the Hail Mary prayer, which is why he was called Brother Ave Maria. Many “small miracles” are known from that time, which were accomplished thanks to his prayers.
He died on July 10, 1947, during the annual religious retreat in St. Albert, at the age of 81. He was also buried there. His grave is visited by crowds of faithful who, thanks to the intercession of the Armless Brother, receive numerous graces from God and the Blessed Mother. In 1979, John Paul II granted him the title of Servant of God. We believe that the Servant of God Brother Antoni Kowalczyk, OMI, will be named blessed by the Church, which he served humbly and faithfully throughout his life.
br. Wiesław Ratajczak OMI
(translation: TJ/PN)