Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm., Rome
(We mentioned the recent beatification of the Polish Carmelite Fr. Hilarion Januszewski (1907–1945) in the last issue of Karmel. We briefly acquainted ourselves with his life story and encouraged ourselves to be receptive, so that through the legacy of this brother of ours, we may be newly addressed by the Lord Himself. The conclusion of the article was intentionally left "non-specific," without attempting to express the content of Fr. Hilarion's testimony more precisely. There was to be room left for us to seek and ask not on the pages of the magazine, but in prayer... Each person individually.
On the occasion of this beatification, the General Prior of the Carmelite Order, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, issued a letter about the new blessed, which he titled “Faithful in little, faithful in much...” And from this letter, we are now presenting to you precisely that part where the message of the example of the new blessed tries to be captured by the General Prior himself.)
The testimony of Fr. Hilarion for us today
The beatification of Fr. Januszewski is a source of joy and happiness for all Carmelites. The Church has recognized one of our brothers as an intercessor and an example, a convincing witness for the whole Church. This is an opportunity for Carmelites not only to rejoice and express their joy through celebrations but also to think and reflect more deeply on the testimony of Fr. Januszewski, so that in his example we may find the key to our own journey in life today.
Firstly, the life of Fr. Januszewski is a good example for us of a selfless, quiet, silent life, grounded in deep prayer and service to others. Those who knew him insist that he was remarkably simple. If it were not for his heroic death, he would likely have been forgotten, as he never stood out in any remarkable way. However, with the strength that grew from a life of prayer, a life in the presence of the Lord – which is so typical and characteristic of Carmelite spirituality – he gave himself for others with the same simplicity with which he lived a quiet, diligent life. As a man raised in daily devotion, he generously committed his life, standing face to face with imprisonment and the reality of a concentration camp. We could say that he managed to be faithful to his calling in ordinary conditions and as a result was also capable of being just as faithful under extraordinary circumstances. Faithful in little, he was faithful also in great matters (Lk 16:10).
When Fr. A. Urbanski, who shared religious life and the burden of suffering with him, wrote during the strict quarantine that followed liberation, to the order's superiors in Rome, he expressed himself regarding his death as follows:
Proh dolor R. P. Hilarius Januszewski, die 26.3.45, uno Mense ante liberationem, tanquam victima zelus sacerdotalis erga infectuose infirmos, mortuus est.1
This century is nearing its end, and we are horrified by certain events that have occurred during its course. The concentration camps, in which Fr. Januszewski lost his life, we consider something particularly cruel and inhumane. However, there are situations, even now, that in certain respects are very similar: racial hatred, poverty and starvation, wars of all kinds, massacres, ruthless violent nationalist movements... The testimony of Fr. Januszewski calls Carmelites of the twenty-first century to a radical decision for a life that is threatened in many ways at this time. Fr. Hilarius was able to do this in the most noble way – by giving his life for others.
The example of Fr. Januszewski reminds us that Carmelites are called amidst the "culture of death," which is manifested in many different ways, to stand up for life.2 Not only in those areas of the world where the "culture of death" is more evident but also elsewhere where its presence is less visible. Furthermore – despite the temptation to pursue mere "utility," despite the temptation to evaluate human beings by their performance and to discard those who are no longer "useful" and become a burden – Fr. Januszewski radically committed himself to the dying, to the worthless, to those who seemingly had nothing left to offer. Through this act, he confessed and testified that human life is – for itself and in itself – a sacred value. This testimony that Fr. Januszewski bore went to extremes – by giving his own life.
In Fr. Januszewski, we also find a particularly remarkable model for how we can experience Carmelite charism today. Januszewski, a man of silence and prayer, accustomed to "talking to God," devoted to contemplation (like every good Carmelite), had no difficulty in finding Christ's face in the weak, needy, and suffering. In the terrible conditions of the Dachau camp, those who were the most impoverished were the typhus patients, the dying, and Fr. Januszewski, along with other volunteer priests, was willing to stay with them and die with and for them. A life of intense prayer makes us more human and capable of living in solidarity with others; it gives us the intuition and sensitivity necessary to discover the mysterious presence of the Lord in those who are the weakest amidst the tensions and contradictions of life. Carmelites are called, like John in the boat on the Sea of Galilee, amidst the darkness of the passing night and the light of dawn to humbly yet firmly profess: "It is the Lord" (John 21:7).
And finally, the testimony of Hilarion Januszewski, who will soon be declared blessed, must show Carmelites worldwide the significance of the international dimension of our Order. We must not forget that most of the patients whom Fr. Januszewski cared for were Russians (i.e., from an enemy country). Yet this, it seems, did not influence his decision. By overcoming national barriers, Fr. Januszewski provides us with a true testimony of universal brotherhood, reconciliation between hostile nations, and peace.
Three years earlier, Blessed Titus Brandsma concluded a document he had prepared as part of the investigation regarding the resistance of Dutch Catholics to national socialism with the following words: "God bless the Netherlands! God bless Germany! May God grant that both nations soon walk again in peace and freedom and acknowledge His glory!”
May the example and intercession of these two blessed Carmelites help us enter the twenty-first century with a genuine spirit of service, peace, and justice, arising from faithful and intense encounters with the Risen Lord.
Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm., General Superior
(Translated from English by Miluška Hosnedlová.)
