An Interview With Fr. Karol

A miracle! That is probably the best way to describe Fr. Karol Wojciech Tomasz Wielgosz’s entrance into this world. Before he was born, his mother Krysyna was given the devastating news that it would be almost certain that her child will not be born alive because of various complications to his health. But her ultimate faith in God led her on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine - Jasna Gora in Poland where, during the mass celebrated by the late Pope John Paul II, she dedicated her son’s life to the Blessed Virgin Mary should he survive the pregnancy.  However, this was not revealed to Fr. Karol until three years after his ordination into the priesthood.

According to Fr. Karol , this most possibly explained why as a young man growing up, he had a great desire to join the religious life. He explained in this interview that when he was in the last year of the secondary school, particularly in the last semester, being so fascinated by biology and genetics, he experienced irresistible and inexplicable call to enter the Order. So at the tender age of 18 he joined the Dominicans with 29 other young men, he being the youngest.  

Some might be curious as to how Fr. Karol came to the shores of Trinidad when he came from such a distant country like Poland. It seemed again as if God was guiding him to our small island. Because at the same time two things happened – Trinidadian Dominicans sent an invitation to Polish Brothers to join them and work together here in Trinidad and he learned of our twin island state in Ireland, where he was furthering his studies, particularly in English. Having learned the history of the Irish Dominicans and their connections to Trinidad and Tobago,  Fr. Karol wishing to use this opportunity to engage in missionary work, submitted his request and it was granted through God and his superior’s will.

It has been 18 months since Fr. Karol landed on our shores and he stated that he continues to be fascinated by the people and our culture. Particularly of our mixed heritages and the multi nationalities that co-exist in this tiny state. He smiled, as he stated that he enjoyed the warmth of our people and the hospitality that is always extended to him as his new parishioners are very welcoming and cooperative.

When questioned on how he was coping with the language barrier, Fr. Karol maintained that he tries to listen and understand what people have to say to him. Given that it was a part of his training as a Dominican priest – study of philosophy and prayer.  In so doing, some Trinidadians have even 

questioned how is it that he knows what their fellow Trinidadians are saying when they themselves do not understand. He reiterated that he takes the time to understand what is being said to him as opposed to just hearing what they say. And he hopes that people are able to understand him.

As the new parish priest of St. Joseph and Mt. D’Or, Fr. Karol is very excited and happy about the opportunity to serve, as with it comes many challenges all of which he welcomes. As his parishioners we pray that God will continue to guide him in all his endeavours as he continues to spread God’s Holy Word.

Becouse Fr. Karol comes from far distant country, somewhere from the north, here are some links to find more about Fr Karol’s past life in Poland:  

      1.      http://1lo.bytom.pl/

2.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland

3.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_cuisine

4.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bytom

5.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominicans

6.      http://dominikanie.pl

7.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_cuisine