(ANS – Warsaw) – On 18 February 2012, the Salesian Province of Warsaw celebrated the first anniversary of the death of Fr Marek Rybinski with a Mass at the Salesian Missionary Centre. The celebration demonstrated once again how deep and strong the memory of Fr Rybinski is among Salesians, his family and friends but also how much his witness is appreciated by the young and by the authorities.

Presiding at the Mass was Przemyslaw Sołarski, a friend of Fr Rybinski, and the young people of the Don Bosco International Voluntary Service Organisation of which for two years 2005-2006 Fr Rybinski had been coordinator animated the liturgy.

During the Mass attended also by Fr Rybinski’s mother Barbara, and sister, Maria, a brief message was read from Fr Václav Klement, Councillor for the Salesian Missions: “On the first anniversary of the death of Fr Marek I want to say how close I feel to his mamma, all his family and to the Salesian confreres in Poland. (…) Looking at all the movements of solidarity, of prayer and general interest aroused by the beautiful witness of the life given by  Fr Marek, I want to thank God, the Lord of history. I hope and pray that his life may raise up in Poland many  generous witnesses to the Gospel  among the young. At the same time I pray that the witness of the life of Fr Marek may  continue to lead to many initiatives of dialogue among the different religions and cultures as has happened during the last 12 months.”

At the end of the Mass the Ambassador of Tunis in Poland present with his wife spoke.  In recalling Fr Rybinski, the diplomat emphasised the value expressed in the life and also in the death of the Salesian missionary since the tragic episode had served to give rise to a desire for transparency, justice and respect  among the  religions at a time of great change in the country.

To commemorate the murdered missionary, the Salesian Missionary Centre in Warsaw published in the month of June 2011 the book which Fr Marek Rybinski had finished writing before he died: “Notes on Tunisia”. Together with the book 26 minute documentary was produced entitled “The soul of Tunisia”, in which are recalled the events in  Tunisia and in Poland following the death of  Fr Rybinski.

On the YouTube channel of the Warsaw Mission Office - Salezjański Ośrodek Misyjny – a number of videos dedicated to  Fr Marek Rybinski are available

Published  20/02/2012