Father Joseph Andrasz was born on October 16, 1891. He was born in Wielopole near Nowy Sącz, in a family with ten children. He received the sacrament of baptism at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wielopole. After graduating from high school in Nowy Sacz, at the age of 15, he entered the religious order – Society of Jesus and after two years of novitiate, he took his first vows. Then he studied philosophy and theology in Poland and Grafenberg, and was ordained a priest on March 19, 1919, at St. Barbara's Church in Krakow, Poland, by Bishop Anatoly Novak. Father Andrasz died on February 1, 1963.
In 1930 he became the national secretary of the Apostolate of Prayer and the Work of Consecration of Families; he held this position until 1953. From 1923 to 1928 he edited the periodical “Our News.” In 1930-1940 he was editor of “The Messenger of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and for one year director of the Apostolate of Prayer Publishing House (1936-1937). Thanks to his efforts, a new compilation of the “New Testament” in the translation of Fr. Jakub Wujek SJ, was also published.
In the spiritual “Diary” of St. sister Faustina Kowalska, he is the most frequently mentioned priest (59 times). He was her confessor and spiritual director at the beginning of her religious journey and at the end of her life, until her death (1938).
For the first time Sister Faustina benefited from the sacrament of confession with father Andrasz before her perpetual vows in April 1933. In total, Fr. Andrasz ministered to sister Faustina for more than 2,5 years, and after her death he became involved in carrying out her mission.
Under his direction, the painting of the Merciful Jesus by Adolf Hyla, which today is famous for its graces in the Sanctuary in Kraków-Lagiewniki, was created. He also initiated solemn services in honor of Divine Mercy in the convent chapel of the Congregation in Łagiewniki (1943) and the celebration of the Feast of Mercy (1944). On his initiative, memoirs of Sister Faustina were collected, and he wrote the booklet “Divine Mercy… we trust in Thee,” popularizing the Divine Mercy devotion.
In addition, Father Andrasz served for more than 10 years as confessor and spiritual director for blessed Aniela Salawa, Servant of God m. Paula Zofia Tajber ZDCH, blessed m. Klemens Staszewska OSU, the Servant of God Sr. Emanuela Kalb CSS.
Currently, the preparatory stage of the beatification process of this saintly priest has begun.
