Father Stanislaus Parzyke, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1814-1892)

Born Antonius Parzyke on December 30, 1814 in Poiskresham, Poland of a well to do family he spent some time in the military and then opted to enter religious life. He applied to the Passionists and after novitiate professed his vows on August 3, 1843. He was ordained on March 20, 1847. In 1852 he was sent with Fathers Anthony Calandri, Albinus Magno, and Brother Lawrence DiGiacomo to the United States. They were the founders of the province in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bishop O’Connor of Pittsburgh requested that Father Parzyke care for the congregation of St. Michael on the Southside. This was primarily a German speaking congregation. He was known for his work during the cholera epidemic. When he went about the area he would wear his Passionist habit and often have candy which he would give to the children. Later he was at other monasteries. The last fifteen years of his life he spent at the Pittsburgh monastery. Many believed that he had the ability to pray and cure people. During Easter 1892 he came down with a severe cold. Eventually he died from complications.