Marcjanna Chmielarz (age 88), born in Wielowieś on January 6, 1862

I have a vivid image of Mother Columba Białecka ardently praying at the deathbed of my mother till she closed her eyes forever. She always reminded us not to leave the poor, care for the sick, and, in particular, to bring them consolation in the hour of death. And what she taught, she always substantiated with actions.

Based on the story told by Sr. Markolina, O.P. I evoke one detail that highlights how much Mother Columba cared about the poor. One day so much bread was distributed to the poor that the rest could suffice only for the sisters’ breakfast. Suddenly, at a late hour, a poor man arrived to the gate asking for bread. Sr. Markolina, O.P. went to Mother Columba and right away remarked that there was no more bread to give away – the remains were merely enough for the sisters. Mother Columba requested to give of the bread to the beggar assuring that God would not abandon us. Surely, she was not disappointed. Early morn at the gate, somebody brought a loaf of bread as an offering.

My father told us that there were many farmers who worked at the construction of the convent. At one moment, the scaffolding of the first floor collapsed. Three farmers were severely wounded and one of them was even carried out on sheets. To our surprise, all of them recovered so swiftly that it was hastily ascribed to Mother Columba’s powerful intercessions.

When in 1944 the German army withdrew beyond the Vistula River, it was from there that they opened fire to the advancing Soviet units. At the time the convent served as a shelter for many people, children including, who had fled from the nearby Tarnobrzeg. The target of the gunfire was first of all the chapel tower. Missiles were falling densely, however, no harm was done to the convent. It is my firm conviction that Mother Columba implored this grace with God that the work of her hands was not razed to the ground.