Father Jacek Janas died. For 29 years he carried the Gospel in the heart of Africa
At noon, great Tuesday under the chapel of St. Anna gathered a religious family, missionaries and parishioners. Mass Funeral was presided over by Bishop Robert Chrząszcz. The sermon was given by a brother of the year – Father Romuald Kośl. And one thing was beating from his words: Father Jacek could die as he lived – with lightness that did not bother to be deep.
– You survived Lent with us, as every year. But you didn’t make this passion anymore. The Lord took you earlier, as if he wanted you to celebrate with him – said the preacher.
29 years in Congo. « He accepted the cross and did not complain »
Father Jacek Janas survived 42 years in the order and 36 years in the priesthood. He was the only one from the year who decided on missions. For nearly three decades he worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo, In places where there was no comfort, but there was a need. He carried the sacraments, prayed with the sick, lived among people he did not know, but whom he understood.
– You accepted the cross before going on missions. And you treated everything that happened to you, like the Way of the Cross. But you didn’t complain – he recalled the brother.
« Includes often not very serious. » And luckily
In his personal acts someone once wrote: « Including often not very serious. » This sentence returned during goodbye. And not as an allegation – but as a compliment.
« This flash in the eye, a szelm smile, jokes, harassment, laughter … » recalled the provincial, Father Egidius. – He could pierce this monastery air when it was getting too thick. Like a needle in a balloon. He reminded us that only what is really important need to be treated seriously.
As the confreres say, Father Jacek was not a type of preacher from the pulpit. Rather, the one who sat at the table and listened. Who brought lightness where the burden dominated. – As if God gave him a mission: to break the excess of holiness with a human smile – friends recall.
« Live so that it gets boring when you die »
At the end of the funeral, Tuwim’s words were said: « Live so that your friends get boring when you die. » And that’s exactly what happened.
In Kalwaria Zebrzydowska it got quieter. Empty. As if someone turned off the light, but left a cup of still warm coffee on the table. As friends say, father Jacek Janas – a missionary, a Franciscan, a man « often not serious » – he left this world without big words. But he quietly left something bigger than a sermon. A memory that does not age. Because it was real.
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In the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angelic in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska there were funeral ceremonies of the late Męcina Father Jacek Janas OFM.
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