Fr. Franciszek Rumiński SDS (1939-2010)

Fr. Franciszek Feliks Rumiński came from Osówiec, district of Bydgoszcz. He was born on February 10th 1939. His parents Stanisław and Helena nee Bagniewska were farmers. After completing his education and military service, he entered the Jesuit Society as religious brother candidate. However, when he heard Our Lord’s call do the Priesthood, Franciszek turned to the Society of the Divine Savior  regarding this matter. Then he moved to Kraków – Zakrzówek, where he completed High School and on August 14th 1964 in Bagno near Wrocław, he began Salvatorian novitiate. One year later he made there his first religious profession. He studied theology and philosophy in Bagno and at the Theological Institute of the Missionaries in Kraków – Stradom. On August 18th  1970 in Bagno he made took his perpetual vows and on June 19th 1971 in Kraków, the Most Rev. Albin Małysiak ordained him to the Holy Priesthood.

First place of pastoral ministry of Fr. Franciszek Rumiński was the Parish in Bagno, where for one year he worked as parochial vicar. There he wrote to his provincial superior asking for possibility of missionary work in Tanzania. Receiving permission he moved to Kraków to prepare himself for missionary work. In August 1973 he went to England to learn English language and in February 1974 he left for Rome. There he stayed few days and departed for Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

In Africa began the longest and most busy stage of Fr. Franciszek’s life. His missionary dreams came true. Now he could sing: Mungu ibariki Afrika...Mungu ibariki Tansania (God bless Africa… God bless Tanzania), the national anthem, which also expressed his gratitude for the gift of missionary vocation.

During one of his visits in Poland, on the Solemnity of All Saints, on November 1st 2010 he has passed away. His funeral took place in Mikołów on November 6th at Our Lady the Mother of Savior Church. The Eucharist was presided over by the Most Rev. Józef Kupny of Katowice. The homily was given by Fr. Piotr Filas, provincial superior of the Polish Province. In the ceremony participated many priests, family and friends of Fr. Franciszek, as well as the faithful of the Mikołów Parish.