History of Michaelite Fathers
The Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel—commonly known as the Michaelite Fathers—traces its roots to the bold vision and compassionate heart of Blessed Fr. Bronisław Markiewicz (1842–1907), a Polish priest deeply shaped by the spirituality of St. John Bosco. Confronted by the poverty, moral neglect, and spiritual hunger of youth in his homeland, Fr. Markiewicz committed his life to forming the young through faith, discipline, and honest work. After years of pioneering educational and pastoral ministry, his vision took concrete form in the foundation of a new religious community—one that would carry forward his charism of temperance, service to the poor, and trust in Divine Providence.
Through war, persecution, and global mission, the Michaelite Fathers have remained faithful to their founder’s legacy. Today, their presence extends from Poland to Canada, and across continents, continuing to proclaim the Gospel, educate the young, and serve with the courage and humility of their heavenly patron, Saint Michael the Archangel.
1942
Birth of Blessed Bronisław Markiewicz
Bronisław Markiewicz was born on July 13, 1842, in Pruchnik, in southeastern Poland, then part of the Austrian partition. From his early years, he displayed deep faith and a desire to serve the Church. He was ordained a priest in 1867 for the Diocese of Przemyśl, where he ministered with great zeal and pastoral sensitivity.
1885–1892
Years with the Salesians in Turin
Seeking deeper spiritual and pedagogical formation, Fr. Markiewicz joined the Salesians of Don Bosco in Italy. His time in Turin profoundly influenced his future mission. Immersed in Don Bosco’s educational system and spirituality, he embraced the charism of working with youth—especially the poor and marginalized—through a balance of faith, discipline, and fatherly care.
1892
Return to Poland and Ministry in Miejsce Piastowe
After returning to Poland due to health challenges, Fr. Markiewicz was assigned to the small village of Miejsce Piastowe. There he began caring for orphaned and neglected youth. Blending the Salesian model with his own pastoral vision, he founded schools and vocational programs based on the principles of “temperance and work,” aiming to raise faithful, self-reliant Christians.
1897+
Founding of Oratories and Launching Catholic Press
Fr. Markiewicz established oratories and boarding schools for orphans and poor children, providing a structured environment for their growth in faith and character. Understanding the power of communication, he also founded a Catholic printing house and began publishing Powściągliwość i Praca (“Temperance and Work”)—a magazine promoting Christian values and social responsibility.
Early 1900s
Efforts to Establish a New Congregation
As his ministry grew, Fr. Markiewicz recognized the need for a religious community to continue the work he had begun. Although he sought incorporation of his efforts into the Salesian structure, the distinct needs of his mission led him to propose a new congregation. He drafted statutes and began forming candidates, even as he faced administrative obstacles and personal hardship. His dedication laid the groundwork for the Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel, though formal approval would come only after his death.
1907
Death of Fr. Markiewicz
Fr. Markiewicz died on January 29, 1907, surrounded by his spiritual family. Though he did not live to see the official foundation of the Congregation, his legacy was already firmly rooted in the hearts of his collaborators, who would soon bring his vision to fulfillment.
1921
Canonical Establishment of the Congregation
Fourteen years after his death, the Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel (CSMA) was formally approved by the Church. The first members had lived and worked alongside Fr. Markiewicz and sought to carry his charism into the future. The foundation marked the official birth of a community devoted to service, discipline, and trust in God.
1939–1945
World War II and the Michaelite Martyrs
During the Second World War, Michaelite priests and brothers remained close to the people, offering sacramental care and moral strength. Several were arrested and executed by the Nazi regime for their faithful witness. Among them were Blessed Fr. Władysław Błądziński and Blessed Fr. Wojciech Nierychlewski, who are now honored as martyrs of the Congregation and of the Church in Poland.
1945–1989
Communist Oppression
Following World War II, Poland fell under the control of a communist regime that sought to suppress the influence of the Church. The Michaelite Fathers, like many other religious communities, endured severe restrictions on their pastoral work, education, and publishing efforts. The state seized numerous Michaelite houses, orphanages, and institutions, often repurposing them for secular use or dismantling them entirely. Despite losing much of their physical infrastructure, the community remained spiritually resilient. Priests continued their mission, catechizing youth, offering sacraments, and supporting families—often at personal risk.
1960s–1970s
Expansion Beyond Poland
The Congregation experienced significant growth in vocations. However, under the Communist regime, the number of available parishes and apostolic ministries within Poland was severely restricted due to state control and Church suppression. In response, the Michaelite Fathers began to seek opportunities abroad, leading to the establishment of missions in Italy, Paraguay, and Papua New Guinea. This move was providential—what began as a necessity became a rich chapter of missionary expansion, allowing the Congregation to bring its charism to new cultures and peoples around the world.
1962
Arrival in Canada
The Michaelite Fathers first arrived in Windsor, Ontario in 1962, answering the pastoral call to serve Polish immigrant communities in southwestern Ontario in Canada. Their ministry quickly became known for its simplicity, availability, and deep pastoral care. This marked the beginning of the Congregation’s mission in North America. In 1968, the Michaelites expanded their Canadian presence by moving to the London area, where they established a more permanent base in Hyde Park, Ontario. Over time, this location would grow into a regional center of ministry and hospitality, eventually becoming home to the Retreat Centre.
2005
Beatification of Fr. Bronisław Markiewicz
Fr. Markiewicz was beatified on June 19, 2005 in Warsaw. The Church recognized him as a faithful servant of God, a father to the poor, and a visionary educator. His legacy continues to inspire the mission and identity of the Michaelite Fathers across the world. Each year, on January 30, the Church celebrates his liturgical memorial. For the Michaelite communities, this day is observed as a feast, marking his enduring spiritual fatherhood within the Congregation.
1942
Birth of Blessed Bronisław Markiewicz
Bronisław Markiewicz was born on July 13, 1842, in Pruchnik, in southeastern Poland, then part of the Austrian partition. From his early years, he displayed deep faith and a desire to serve the Church. He was ordained a priest in 1867 for the Diocese of Przemyśl, where he ministered with great zeal and pastoral sensitivity.
1885–1892
Years with the Salesians in Turin
Seeking deeper spiritual and pedagogical formation, Fr. Markiewicz joined the Salesians of Don Bosco in Italy. His time in Turin profoundly influenced his future mission. Immersed in Don Bosco’s educational system and spirituality, he embraced the charism of working with youth—especially the poor and marginalized—through a balance of faith, discipline, and fatherly care.
1892
Return to Poland and Ministry in Miejsce Piastowe
After returning to Poland due to health challenges, Fr. Markiewicz was assigned to the small village of Miejsce Piastowe. There he began caring for orphaned and neglected youth. Blending the Salesian model with his own pastoral vision, he founded schools and vocational programs based on the principles of “temperance and work,” aiming to raise faithful, self-reliant Christians.
1897+
Founding of Oratories and Launching Catholic Press
Fr. Markiewicz established oratories and boarding schools for orphans and poor children, providing a structured environment for their growth in faith and character. Understanding the power of communication, he also founded a Catholic printing house and began publishing Powściągliwość i Praca (“Temperance and Work”)—a magazine promoting Christian values and social responsibility.
Early 1900s
Efforts to Establish a New Congregation
As his ministry grew, Fr. Markiewicz recognized the need for a religious community to continue the work he had begun. Although he sought incorporation of his efforts into the Salesian structure, the distinct needs of his mission led him to propose a new congregation. He drafted statutes and began forming candidates, even as he faced administrative obstacles and personal hardship. His dedication laid the groundwork for the Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel, though formal approval would come only after his death.
1907
Death of Fr. Markiewicz
Fr. Markiewicz died on January 29, 1907, surrounded by his spiritual family. Though he did not live to see the official foundation of the Congregation, his legacy was already firmly rooted in the hearts of his collaborators, who would soon bring his vision to fulfillment.
1921
Canonical Establishment of the Congregation
Fourteen years after his death, the Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel (CSMA) was formally approved by the Church. The first members had lived and worked alongside Fr. Markiewicz and sought to carry his charism into the future. The foundation marked the official birth of a community devoted to service, discipline, and trust in God.
1939–1945
World War II and the Michaelite Martyrs
During the Second World War, Michaelite priests and brothers remained close to the people, offering sacramental care and moral strength. Several were arrested and executed by the Nazi regime for their faithful witness. Among them were Blessed Fr. Władysław Błądziński and Blessed Fr. Wojciech Nierychlewski, who are now honored as martyrs of the Congregation and of the Church in Poland.
1945–1989
Communist Oppression
Following World War II, Poland fell under the control of a communist regime that sought to suppress the influence of the Church. The Michaelite Fathers, like many other religious communities, endured severe restrictions on their pastoral work, education, and publishing efforts. The state seized numerous Michaelite houses, orphanages, and institutions, often repurposing them for secular use or dismantling them entirely. Despite losing much of their physical infrastructure, the community remained spiritually resilient. Priests continued their mission, catechizing youth, offering sacraments, and supporting families—often at personal risk.
1960s–1970s
Expansion Beyond Poland
The Congregation experienced significant growth in vocations. However, under the Communist regime, the number of available parishes and apostolic ministries within Poland was severely restricted due to state control and Church suppression. In response, the Michaelite Fathers began to seek opportunities abroad, leading to the establishment of missions in Italy, Paraguay, and Papua New Guinea. This move was providential—what began as a necessity became a rich chapter of missionary expansion, allowing the Congregation to bring its charism to new cultures and peoples around the world.
1962
Arrival in Canada
The Michaelite Fathers first arrived in Windsor, Ontario in 1962, answering the pastoral call to serve Polish immigrant communities in southwestern Ontario in Canada. Their ministry quickly became known for its simplicity, availability, and deep pastoral care. This marked the beginning of the Congregation’s mission in North America. In 1968, the Michaelites expanded their Canadian presence by moving to the London area, where they established a more permanent base in Hyde Park, Ontario. Over time, this location would grow into a regional center of ministry and hospitality, eventually becoming home to the Retreat Centre.
2005
Beatification of Fr. Bronisław Markiewicz
Fr. Markiewicz was beatified on June 19, 2005 in Warsaw. The Church recognized him as a faithful servant of God, a father to the poor, and a visionary educator. His legacy continues to inspire the mission and identity of the Michaelite Fathers across the world. Each year, on January 30, the Church celebrates his liturgical memorial. For the Michaelite communities, this day is observed as a feast, marking his enduring spiritual fatherhood within the Congregation.
Jubilee
The year 2012 marked two significant anniversaries in the life of the Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel. It was the 100th anniversary of the death of Blessed Fr. Bronisław Markiewicz (1842–1912). It also marked 50 years of the Michaelite mission in Canada, which began in 1962 when Fr. Bartłomiej Sławiński officially brought the Congregation to the Diocese of London.
These jubilees became moments of celebration and thanksgiving for the graces received throughout the decades. Today, more than 500 spiritual sons and daughters of Fr. Markiewicz continue his work across nearly every continent, including Canada, where twelve Michaelite priests now serve in the Dioceses of London, Detroit, Charlottetown and Toronto. The anniversaries were a profound reminder of God’s Providence and a source of joy and renewal within the Michaelite communities.