Bronisław Markiewicz

In Miejsce Piastowe, Father Markiewicz dedicated himself entirely to the reception, education, and vocational training of poor, abandoned, and orphaned children, applying the pedagogical principles of Saint John Bosco. To respond more radically to the specific needs of the youth of Galicia, he chose to found an autonomous work. In 1897, he left the Salesian congregation. In 1898, while awaiting formal ecclesiastical approval, he created a civil association called the "Temperance and Labor" Society (Towarzystwo Powściągliwość i Praca) to support his educational institutions, and launched a monthly magazine of the same name on July 16, 1898. He collaborated closely with the Servant of God (now Venerable) Anna Kaworek (1872-1936), who became the co-founder and first Superior General of the female branch. His project was to found two religious congregations under the patronage of Saint Michael the Archangel: 1. The Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel (the Michaelite Fathers, Congregatio Sancti Michaëlis Archangeli - CSMA). 2. The Sisters of Saint Michael the Archangel (the Michaelite Sisters). Father Markiewicz died on January 29, 1912, in Miejsce Piastowe, without having seen the canonical approval of his institutes. It was under the impetus of the Bishop of Krakow, Msgr. Adam Stefan Sapieha, that the male branch was officially erected on September 29, 1921. The female branch received its diocesan approval in 1928.

The reputation for holiness of Father Markiewicz spread rapidly after his death. The informative process for his beatification was opened in the Diocese of Przemyśl on December 8, 1958, by Bishop Franciszek Barda. On July 2, 1994, Pope John Paul II signed the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, declaring him Venerable.

A miracle attributed to his intercession was formally recognized for his beatification. This miracle concerns the unexplained healing of Father Roman Włodarczyk, a Michaelite priest from Toruń. On July 31, 1994, while celebrating Mass, Father Włodarczyk suffered a severe stroke (cerebrovascular accident) resulting in right-sided hemiplegia and motor aphasia. His condition was deemed extremely critical by the doctors. After fervent prayers addressed through the intercession of Father Markiewicz, the patient suddenly, completely, and scientifically inexplicably recovered the use of his speech and limbs. The decree recognizing this miracle was promulgated by Pope John Paul II on December 20, 2004.

The beatification ceremony for Bronisław Markiewicz was celebrated on June 19, 2005, at Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, Poland. It was presided over by Cardinal Józef Glemp, Primate of Poland, acting on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. His liturgical memorial is set for January 30 (notably in Poland and within the Michaelite congregations), while the Roman Martyrology lists him on January 29, the day of his birth into heaven (dies natalis).

The spirituality of Blessed Bronisław Markiewicz rests on two fundamental pillars, summarized by his mottos: - "Who is like God!" (Któż jak Bóg), the rallying cry of Saint Michael the Archangel, which expresses an attitude of constant adoration, humility, and absolute submission to the divine will. - "Temperance and Work" (Powściągliwość i Praca), which constitutes a program of spiritual life and education. Father Markiewicz was convinced that the material and moral poverty of the society of his time stemmed from the rejection of these two values. Today, the legacy of the Blessed is perpetuated through the Michaelite Fathers and the Michaelite Sisters. These two congregations, members of the Salesian Family, work in many countries around the world (Poland, Italy, Germany, Canada, United States, Argentina, Paraguay, Cameroon, etc.), dedicating themselves primarily to the education, accompaniment, and salvation of the most disadvantaged youth.