Who Is Fr.
Henry?
Fr. Henry as a young boy.
Fr. Henry often said that a Hail Mary is like a cannon ball against the Devil.
Altarpiece at Fr. Henry's home parish.
Henry Kowalczyk was born in the United States. He was the son of faithful Polish Catholic parents. He was fascinated by the world. He became fond of rock concerts and video-games. His ideal life was to be a millionaire by 30. For this reason, when he was 18 years old he had invested money in the stock market. One day, his mother invited him to watch a tv show of a famous nun, Mother Angelica, the founder of EWTN. One episode in particular had a profound impact upon him which began the process of his conversion.
After breaking up with his girlfriend and changing his lifestyle, he started to feel the call from the Lord to be a priest. While he was discerning his vocation, he met in the USA the General Superior of the Servant Brothers of the Home of the Mother, whom he would speak to about religious doubts. After listening to the priest explain the three missions of the Home of the Mother, he felt captivated by them and understood that it was here where the Lord was calling him. He went to Spain to meet the community. He would live in Spain for 20 years, 10 as a priest and 7 of them working in the Hospital Clinico Universitario in Valencia as the chaplain.
Fr. Henry would always tell incredible experiences on how some sick people have found their strength in Christ, especially through the sacraments of the Eucharist, confession and anointing of the sick. The diocesan commission of pastoral health care of the archdiocese of Valencia would give him the task to give formation talks to the members of the pastoral. The talks were under the title: The curative power of faith in which he would constantly repeat: “Jesus: Doctor of the souls and the bodies. Through the Sacraments and prayer we will have an intimate encounter with the ecclesial community.” He would explain to people how the sacraments heal and save the soul.
He stayed for a few days in Amposta (Tarragona, Spain) working as a chaplain to a community of Discalced Carmelites that were left without a priest to give them spiritual attention due to the coronavirus. Father Henry had stayed in a house in the front of the convent. While he was there, in the morning of April 15th he had an epileptic attack. After suffering the attack, he collapsed, severely hitting his head off the bath tub, and this provoked his immediate death. Beforehand, not long ago, he suffered another incident of the same type, that resulted in him breaking his jaw. He needed surgery in order to repair the damage. According to the testimony of the same carmelites on his last days: “He was happy, and during his homilies these past days, he would speak about heaven.”
This is Fr. Henry's vocation story, in his own words:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Is 55,8-9). God had His plans, and very soon I was going to be included in them. In short, that is how I came to know the Home. This sweet encounter was, for me, completely unexpected. And today, I have already been a Servant Brother for more than five years. I still can’t believe it. How good God is! He is always giving us more than we can imagine or ask for. We only need to trust in Him… and await His surprises. Why do I say this?
Listen—you’re about to find out:
When I was Little, I was an altar server, and my parish priest asked me if I wanted to be a priest (I honestly didn’t want to), and I said: No! But after I left, I thought about it and I remember that I said to God: “if no one wants to be a priest, and you really need someone, I believe I could do it.” Later on, when I was 24 years old, that memory came to me very strong and clear, and I knew without any doubt that God was calling me to the priesthood.
This happened about a year or so after the death of my father. And I can assure you that he had an important role in all of this. Because when he died, I began to look at my life in a different way. I began to think about death, about heaven and hell. I started to think about God and my life in front of Him. In His love and His justice.
So, with the grace of God (and the tv channel of Mother Angelica), my relationship with God became more profound. Personal. As a result of this, I began to reflect about my life, and I thought more about it, I knew more that I needed to change if I wanted to please God.
So, I started praying the Rosary and I came back to the church, but with a different attitude. I can say, sincerely, that this changed my life dramatically. Little by Little, I detached myself from the sins that I used to love and for the first time I felt the desire to be a priest. But even though I had the desire, there was a moment that it was hard for me to accept it, because I wanted to get married. I remember one time I was in my car arguing with God about this matter. I clearly remember that I got mad, and I shouted: I don’t want to be a priest! I want to get married! (like a spoiled child) How much patience God had and still have with me. It is funny to see how things develop, because now, many years later, I wait impatiently for my ordination. “Nothing is impossible for God!” (Lk 1:37).
In 1997, I met Fr. Felix (superior general of the Servant Brothers) in his first trip to the United States. I spent a lot of time with them, and they impressed me. I enjoyed hearing them talk about the Home and its three missions: The defense of the Eucharist, the defense of the Honor of Our Blessed Mother, especially in the privilege of her virginity, and the conquest of the youth for Jesus Christ. I was very attracted to this charisma. So, I decided to get closer to Fr. Felix and talk with him. I need to say that the role of Fr. Felix was very special. I did not know priests like him. His love for Jesus in the Eucharist could be felt just by watching him celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Also, his love for Our Lady. All of this, added to his piety and good sense of humor, made it hard for me to decline his invitation to spent Christmas with the brothers in Spain. That sounded really good!!
When I arrived to Spain, I did not know what to expect, but I am so happy that I came because I found a piece of heaven in the eyes and the smiles of each Servant Brother and each Servant Sister. The Spirit of Our Mother really lives in the Home!
All of that is a gift that was given to me—to me and to so many others who have come to know the Home—through the personal, very firm and courageous response of a man who has given his life to the Lord and to Our Mother so that all of us might enjoy this great gift that is the Home of the Mother. May the Most Holy Trinity and Mary bless our founder for his dedication and courage in saying “Yes” to God’s plan! Fr. Rafael, may you be, as you are, the beacon that leads us to the light of God. May you be that torch that lights our path toward holiness, toward perfect self-giving, toward the greatest happiness that only God can give us—and which He always grants through the humble and the simple, those who have made themselves one with God’s plan.
After spending Christmas with the Home, I returned to the United States to discern whether this was my vocation. I spent quite a long time praying for the grace to know and to do God’s will, because I know myself all too well. By nature, I am very attached to home. I knew that such a drastic change in lifestyle would be difficult for me. But my heart told me where I needed to be. I was in the United States, but my heart was already in the Home.
How little faith we have. How easily we forget that God is absolutely in love with each one of us. He asks only one thing: that we accept that love, trusting in Him and in His divine providence. We can find that peace we so ardently seek only in fulfilling His Holy Will. If God is calling you—to the priesthood or to consecrated life—do not delay. Let Him love you as He wishes. Is not God your Father? He knows what He is doing. He Himself tells you: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the Lord—plans for peace and not for misfortune, to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you seek me, you will find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will let myself be found by you—oracle of the Lord” (Jr 29:11–14). BELIEVE IN HIM!
Motherhouse of the Servant Brothers of the Home of the Mother.
Fr. Henry in the same grotto as that famous Sr. Clare photo.
Fr. Henry (before becoming a Brother) with Fr. Felix Lopez, SHM.
