So unexpected passing of Fr. Marek Leśniak (on 1 August) filled everyone who knew him with deep pain and great regret. He went to eternity at the age of 49, on the threshold of the silver jubilee of the priesthood. It would seem that God most needed him here on earth, because as a priest, theologian and pastoral minister had a lot of solid experience. Why did the Supreme Director of Life stop him in this way? Was it a mistake happened up there? We, in our human way, will not understand God’s plan, according to which Fr. Marek was called to Him. In Isaiah we find the words: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts and your ways are not my ways …” (Is 55: 8). There is hope for us in the truth that God is our Father and wants our good. Christ the Lord is our Savior. In Him our thoughts and our paths find meaning and the final destination.
Marek grew up in a loving and religious family with two sisters Bożena and Anna. His priestly vocation matured in the parish in Bieńczyce, near the church whose construction symbolized the history of the Polish Church in communist times. His seminar years (1987-1993) occurred in the time of the socio-political breakthrough.
He began his work as a priest at the St. Barbara Church in Libiąż. Between 1995 and 2000 he stayed in Rome, where he completed his doctoral dissertation. On his return to Poland, he worked at the Krakow parish in Piaski Stare. After that he was appointed the prefect and then vice-rector of the Major Seminary in Krakow. This responsible ministry was combined by him with lectures on moral theology at The Pontifical University of John Paul II. Over time, his activities expanded to include other occupations, including: work for the Jan Kanty Foundation, of which he was a co-founder and vice president, and for the Knights of Columbus, the organization he transplanted to our country.
After finishing his work in the seminary, in 2007, he settled in the parish of St. Florian in Krakow, continuing his work at the university. He became involved in the pastoral care of employers. For several years he worked at the Fr. Piotr Skarga Arch-Fraternity of Charity in which he was a spiritual patron and administrator on behalf of the diocese. He joined the preparation for the WYD Krakow 2016, and directed the registration department. To all these activities, one should add everyday priestly duties: above all the daily Eucharist, the sacraments, proclamation of the Gospel, retreats.
It is important not only what he did, but how he did it. Marek was a kind person and a good organizer. He knew how to use time. And at the same time he was friendly, always present at meetings with friends, cheerful and witty. He gladly helped others.
As colleagues from the same class, we also worked together for several years in the seminary. I went one Saturday to a sanctuary in Ludźmierz to deliver a Marian sermon. After the service, late in the evening, I noticed that the keys, removed from the ignition, were locked in the car. Attempts to get inside did not succeed. I called Mark, to the seminary, and he offered to bring spare keys from Cracow to Podhale in that evening.
By who he was and what a man he was, he served others, deserving our gratitude. He lived for Christ and for his neighbor. He went to eternity, which is not millions of light years away from our world. Eternity as such discreetly approaches each of us, and we go in the hope of meeting the Lord and our fellow men. Father Marek passed away to stay close to us and accompany us further in the earthly journey. We can still count on him as he counts on us.
Marek, thank you for your kindness. Stay close to us and intercede for us before God.
Fr. Andrzej Dobrzyński