On the eve of beatification ceremonies in Poland for Father Jerzy Popiełuszko, murdered by communist secret services in 1984, his mother Marianna Popiełuszko is celebrating her 100th birthday.

Among those who visited her in her house in the village of Suchowola, north-eastern Poland, were the mayor of the Suchowola commune and the Podlasie Province governor, who handed over to Marianna Popiełuszko a letter from Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Suchowola mayor Jerzy Omielan told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that they found Marianna Popieluszko in good spirits, smiling and with a sense of humour. On Sunday she will be in Warsaw for the ceremonies of the beatification of her son. Father Popiełuszko was killed by communist secret police officers in October 1984.

According to some Internet sources, Marianna Popiełuszko was born in 1920, but a spokesman for the Podlasie Province governor explained that it has been confirmed in the documents that her real date of birth is 1 June 1910.

Meanwhile, celebrations of the beatification of Father Popiełuszko will last three days in Poland, with the main events occurring on June 6. The celebration will be presided over by a delegate of His Holiness Benedict XVI, Archbishop Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Invited guests include Poland’s national authorities, members of parliament, representatives of the local and regional government, city authorities, and numerous guests from across Poland and from abroad.

The Holy Mass will be celebrated by 120 bishops and around 2,500 priests. The Holy Mass will begin with the reading out of the document issued by the Holy See on the raising to the glory of the altars of the Servant of God Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko and the arrival of the relics of the new Blessed, says a Vatican press release.

A processional transfer of relics of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko from Piłsudski Square to the Divine Providence Church in Wilanów.

Beatification is one of the crucial steps on the way to sainthood. (mk/pg)