On Saturday, February 1, 2025, the first session of the tribunal for the beatification process of the Servant of God, Fr. Józef Andrasz, SJ, took place in the chapel of the Archbishops of Kraków, officially marking the beginning of the process.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Kraków, Marek Jędraszewski, initiated the beatification and canonization process in recognition of Fr. Andrasz’s remarkable contributions to the spiritual life of the Church. In his address, the archbishop emphasized that Fr. Józef Andrasz, who passed away exactly 62 years ago, has gone down in history as a confessor to saints. He recalled that the Servant of God lived in an era of extraordinary, often dramatic, witness to God’s mercy.
“All of these figures are heroic witnesses to God’s mercy, and among them stands the one who offered strength and guidance in the confessional—Fr. Józef Andrasz,” the archbishop said. He noted that from reading the memoirs of St. Faustina Kowalska, one can see that Fr. Andrasz was a confessor marked by clarity of discernment and firm spiritual guidance.
Quoting The Diary of St. Faustina, he recalled her words:
“After hearing my confession, Father Andrasz gave me the following answer: I am not releasing you from anything, and you must not shy away from these inner inspirations. You must tell your confessor everything—absolutely, absolutely—because otherwise, despite these great graces from God, you will go astray.”
St. Faustina held her confessor in deep gratitude and often prayed for him. She recorded in her diary:
"This whole month, March 1968, Holy Mass and Holy Communion for Fr. Andrasz, that God would grant him an even deeper knowledge of His love and mercy."
The archbishop concluded:
“Thus, we fervently pray to the Most High God that, in His mercy and infinite goodness, He may allow Fr. Józef Andrasz—now in heaven—to know His love and boundless mercy ever more deeply.”
A Life of Spiritual Leadership
Fr. Jarosław Paszyński, SJ, Provincial of the Jesuits, expressed gratitude to God for the opening of Fr. Andrasz’s beatification process.
“In his ministry, Fr. Józef Andrasz was distinguished by a profound passion for God and His Church. His deep spiritual life was rooted in the Ignatian exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola,” he said. “He helped others—especially consecrated persons—grow in holiness, but he also worked closely with the laity, engaging in the building of the Church community.”
He called Fr. Andrasz “a great friend of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,” adding: “Fr. Józef Andrasz inspires hope by pointing to God’s mercy. He lived in deep union with our Savior, drawing from His Most Sacred Heart.”
The Life and Legacy of Fr. Józef Andrasz, SJ
Fr. Józef Andrasz, SJ, was born on October 16, 1891, in Wielopole near Nowy Sącz. After completing high school, he entered the Society of Jesus, taking his first vows after two years. He pursued studies in philosophy and theology and was ordained a priest on March 19, 1919.
Throughout his ministry, Fr. Andrasz played a vital role in fostering devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He served as Director of the Apostolate of Prayer in the Work of Consecration of Families and was editor-in-chief of The Messenger of the Heart of Jesus.
Notably, he was the confessor of St. Faustina Kowalska for over two and a half years. After her death, he took up her mission, ensuring the preservation and dissemination of her writings. He also served as confessor to several other holy individuals, including:
Fr. Andrasz passed away on February 1, 1963, leaving behind a legacy of deep faith and spiritual guidance. Now, with the opening of his beatification process, the Church begins the journey to recognize him among the blessed.
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