Fudzinski, Very Rev. Hyacinth, O.M.C., S.T.D., JUD
Clergyman. Baptized Ignace Karol; Hyacinth assumed name at profession. Born Jan. 9, 1855, in Czarnkow, Poland, the son of Karol and Jozefa Bucholz. Education: St. Mary Magdalene Gymnasium, Poznan, Poland. Entered the Order of Franciscan Fathers in 1870 in Albany, N. Y. On March 25, 1874 professed the solemn vows. Studied Theology at Lovanium, Belgium, from 1874 to 1878; ordained on May 26, 1877. Graduated from Lovanium on July 23, 1878, with S.T.B. degree. For further studies he was sent to Rome, Italy, in 1879; here besides his studies served as penitentiary for Poles and Germans. On April 21, 1885 appointed penitentiary of SS. Peter and Paul Basilica in Rome. On Jan. 27, 1886 received JUD. degree and Magister of Theology (S.T.M.). On October 4, 1891 appointed rector of Penitentiaria Apostolica in Rome. He returned to U.S. in 1891. In 1898 appointed provincial of Immaculate Conception Province, Franciscan Fathers, Syracuse, N. Y., as the fourth provincial of said province. In 1905 founded the first Polish Province of the Franciscan Fathers in U.S. of St. Anthony de Padua, in Buffalo, N. Y. by dividing the Immaculate ConceptIon Province of Syracuse, N. Y. Father Fudzinski was Commissary General and from 1906 to 1919 was provincial of the new province. In 1921 nominated Definitor Generalis. He was considered a leader of the first Polish generation in U.S. In 1896 he established a new women's order: Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, in Trenton, N. J. and transferred this order to Buffalo, N. Y. in 1898 where he founded Corpus Christi parish. In 1907 became a diocesan consultor. Synodal Examiner; member of Curia Episcopalis pro Amotione Administrativa ab officio Ct beneflcio curato. He was called: Defender of Polish cause. Contributed very much to Poland after the war in 1918. His parish, Corpus Christi in Buffalo, raised for the Polish cause $59,215.80. Decorated by Polish government with the Cross of "Polonia Restituta," and "Miecze Hallerowskie." In May, 1924, left America for Poland. Died May 14, 1925.From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943