A hidden gem exists in the basement of Holy Trinity Polish Mission, 1118 N. Noble St., that is open to all for prayer and reflection. It is a small catacomb, built as part of the original church in 1906 and renovated and expanded in 2018, which houses over 250 relics of saints and blesseds and items like a sliver of wood thought to be from the true cross of Jesus. The original catacombs were constructed behind the main altar in the lower church when it was built in 1906. Included were eight niches for relics and a small tomb representing the one where Jesus was laid. Rector Kazimierz Sztuczko sailed to Poland in 1911 to receive the first eight relics of saints important to Polish people. When the mission decided to renovate the lower church into a gathering space, it decided it was time to expand the catacombs because over the years the mission had acquired over 200 relics, mostly from closed churches around the city, said Society of Christ Father Andrzej Totzke, rector of Holy Trinity Polish Mission. “We didn’t have any specific funds. I just announced that we wanted to do something and people came forward,” Totzke said. Members stepped up and donated all the work and materials for the renovation. A member with a background in architecture designed plans to more than double the size of the space and constructed niches for the reliquaries. Another member who is an artist painted the space to resemble stone catacombs and also painted scenes in the life of Christ: his crucifixion, his being laid in the tomb and his resurrection. “Everything was donated,” Totzke said. “This is a very important space for our people because they identify that this is our gift to the church. After Sunday Masses the people can come here, spend some time and pray.” The catacombs are particularly popular during Holy Week and many are drawn to pray at the small tomb with a statue of Jesus in repose. The main church upstairs contains the most popular relics: St. John Paul II and St. Faustina Kostka. On particular feast days for a blessed or saint whose relic the mission has, staff will bring the reliquary and relic from the catacombs and place it on the altar for all Masses. “This is a reminder that if they could get sainthood, we also are invited to do it and we are able. I think it is also an important reminder that we are a whole family of Christians. They belong to our family and we also can get support from that,” he said. To learn more, visit trojcowo.com/en/catacombs/
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