![[Rev. Tyrasinski]](Tyrasinski_01.JPG)
Father Lucius Tyrasinski, O.S.P.P.E
GOLDEN JUBILEE ---- June 17, 1956 - June 17, 2006
From 1956 to 1963 Father Lucius served various assignments in the Pauline Order in Poland. He was Assistant Prefect at Skalka in Kraków, Procurator in Lesniow, Director of the Minor Seminary in Czestochowa, and Sub prior, Prefect of Clerics, and Assistant Pastor in Lesna Podlaska. Father Lucius served in pastoral duties at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa at Jasna Góra, in Czestochowa, Poland.
Arriving in the United States in November of 1963, Father Lucius assumed the office of Prior of the American Czestochowa. Speaking very little English, he made arrangements to study the language at Columbia University, New York and enrolled in classes in 1964.
He served two terms as Prior of the Monastery in Doylestown, 1963 to 1969, after which he was assigned to the office of Prior of the Pauline Monastery in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. While in Kittanning, Father Lucius served in the Greensburg Diocese as Pastor of St. Lawrence in Cadogan, Pennsylvania. In 1975 his assignment once again called him back to Doylestown to serve as Director of the Shrine for a year. In 1976 he traveled to Aurora, Missouri where he became Pastor of Holy Trinity Church, serving in this position until 1979 when he was once again summoned to the office of Prior of the American Czestochowa in Doylestown.
Returning to the American Czestochowa in 1979, a Shrine debt of 1.5 million was reduced to $150,000.00 through his plans and programs. Securing a mortgage through the Knights of Columbus within two years the debt was quickly paid off. The joyous symbolic burning of the mortgage ceremony took place, Sunday, August 23, 1981. Fr. Lucius, John Cardinal Krol, and Virgil Decant, the Supreme Knight of Columbus burned the Shrine mortgage on the Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The Shrine was finally debt free thanks to the generosity of the faithful pilgrims and the stewardship of the Pauline Fathers. Father Lucius' second term (1983-1986) as Prior of the American Czestochowa was with great optimism looking to proceed with new projects for the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Studies were prepared to repair the Shrine roof. Detailed plans were underway to place a marble floor in the main church followed by the installation of pews. Work on beautifying the Shrine grounds began with the planting of over 250 evergreens.
On July 1, 1986 the Pauline Fathers took over St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Parish at 101 East 7th Street New York City. His Eminence John Cardinal O'Connor appointed Father Lucius Tyrasinski as pastor and Father Jan Michalak as associate pastor. The Polish Parish, dating back to 1872, was neglected over the previous years and in need of physical and spiritual restoration. For the next ten years restoration of the parish building included the Church, rectory, school building and convent. Restoring buildings served to restore the Parish community's spiritual needs not only for Poles but also the local Catholic neighborhood.
One of the most important events in the history of the parish took place on May 6, 1990 during the Mass at St. Stanislaus Church to bless the new state emblem, a crowned eagle, and placed it on the front of the Consulate of the Republic of Poland at Madison Avenue. Father Lucius Tyrasinski and the Consulate General, Waldemar Lipka-Chudzik, participated in this patriotic ceremony to unite the Poles in Poland and abroad and to build future cooperation between Poland and Polonia in the world. Sculptor Andrzej Pitynski, Historian Henryk Archacki and Tom Wojslawowicz, President of the Pulaski Parade Committee inaugurated the emblem. Consulate General Chudzik sent the historic letter of appeal to the Poles in the world to Father Lucius Tyrasinski. It was signed by Andrzej Stelmachowski of the Polish Senate with words of New Year's wishes to build a new democratic Poland, the home of all Poles irrespective of their residence. "The time has come historically - said the Appeal - to unity; the Poles in Poland and abroad... It is to us to our will, reason and deeds to build a future cooperation between Poland and Polania in the world."
The above is a partial quote as printed in the newspaper article "Apel do Polonii Swiata," Andrzej Stelmachowski; Marszalek Senatu, Nowy Jork, 16 stycznia 1990.
In 1996, Father Lucius was once again called to return to the American Czestochowa monastery as Provincial and Prior to oversee programs to continue the building of the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. For two consecutive terms 1996-2002 Father Lucius proceeded with plans to oversee the building of the Visitor Center, including the cafeteria, Ave Maria Retreat House, along with the Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa, side altars of Mary of Nazareth, Divine Mercy, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Paul the First Hermit. Other projects included: the 45-foot stainless cemetery cross with a 7-foot bronze image of Christ, which was blessed and dedicated on September 16, 2001 to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Fatima Grotto and the Pope John Paul II statue, dedicated on October 28, 2001. The 40-foot Vermont gray granite statue of Pope John Paul II is inscribed with memorable text from his first message to the world on the day of his inauguration: "Open wide the doors to Christ."
In all his travels and positions held, Father Lucius has demonstrated dedication to his Pastoral duties, and has also proved his knowledge in the business world. While he was Prior at Kittanning the Monastery there was completed. During his service as Pastor of St. Lawrence in Cadogan an addition was added on to the church. As Pastor of Holy Trinity in Aurora he completed the renovations in that church and initiated plans for a new church which has since been completed and dedicated. Pastor of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr, New York 1986-1999 and 2002 to present.
Father Lucius has served the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa for twenty two years as Prior with devoted service to Polonia and the Catholic Community in the United States. Through the eyes of Father Lucius Tyrasinski, O.S.P.P.E. one can see the American Czestochowa of the future, standing tall along with the other great Marian Centers of the World.
From: Resume in 50th Anniversary of Priesthood Program, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA, August 6, 2006