Franciszek Antoni Cegielka
Roman Catholic priest, educator, author
Born Mar. 16, 1908, Grabow, Poland; came to the U.S., 1948; son of Marcin and Maria (Nieszczesna).
Education: Pallotine Fathers Seminary, Wadowice (Poland), 1927; Theology Doctor (Th.D.), Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (Italy), 1931; ordination, 1931.
Career: teacher, Minor Seminary, Pallotine Fathers, Chelmno, 1932-34, Major Seminary, Society of the Catholic Apostolate, Wadowice, 1934-36; rector, Polish Catholic Mission, Paris (France), 1937-39,1945-47; prisoner of German Gestapo (held in 9 prisons and 2 concentration camps), 1940-45; secretary, Pallotine Fathers, Rome, 1947-48; sent to U.S. by Superior General to conduct retreat work; lecturer, various American colleges, 1948-67; prof. (theology), Felician College, Lodi (NJ), 1967-71; chairman, Religion Study Department, Holy Family College, Philadelphia (PA), 1971-76; director, Sanctuary of the Infant Jesus, North Tonawanda (NY), 1976 -.
Author, i.a.: Mistyka ojczyzny, 1946; Dobra matka, and Apel milosci, 1948; Reparatory Mysticism of Nazareth, 1951; Holy Mass School of Religious Life, 1953; The Pierced Heart, 1954; Life on Rocks, 1957; Spiritual Theology for Novices, 1961; Segregavit nos Dominus, 1963; Three Hearts Meditations, 1963, 1964; Nazareth Spirituality, 1966; All Things New, 1969; Handbook of Ecciesiology and Christology, 1971; Toward a New Spring of Humankind, 1987; numerous lectures.
Member of: American Association of University Professors (AAUP); Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America (P.I.A.S.A.)
Honors: Gold Cross of Merit with Swords, Polish Government in Exile, London (United Kingdom), 1945; Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, and Croix de Guerre, French Government, 1946; Outstanding Educator of America, 1974, 1975.
Languages: Polish, English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Greek.
Office: Infant Jesus Shrine, 3452 Niagara Falls Blvd., PO Box 563, North Tonawanda, NY 14120.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996