Father Hyacinth Malkowiak, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1906-1970)

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Born John Malkowiak on March 17, 1906 in Dunkirk, New York, he was the son of Joseph and Anastasia Malkowiak. As a youngster he went to St. Hyacinth School and graduated in 1920 whereupon he entered St. Mary’s High School. In the fall of 1921 he entered Holy Cross Seminary in Dunkirk. Graduating three years later, he entered the Passionist novitiate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and pronounced his vows September 15, 1925. He was given the religious name Hyacinth. His studies were done in West Springfield, Massachusetts; Scranton, Pennsylvania; and Union City, New Jersey. He was ordained on February 8, 1931 by Bishop John J. Dunne of New York. He completed sacred eloquence at Jamaica, New York and then was assigned to go to Poland where he was asked to be the assistant master of novices in the first Passionist foundation at Perasnyar Wajewidetwo Warsranwkie, Powiat Perasnyski, Poland. It was at this time that he also preached Polish missions and retreats. After two years he returned to the United States and for the next twenty years was assigned to Jamaica, New York, Scranton, Union City, and Holy Cross Apostolic Center, Dunkirk. From all these locations he preached parish missions and retreats. He was particularly zealous at the St. Ann’s Novena, Scranton. In time he was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas and liver. He died six months or so after receiving the news from the doctor.

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