Fifty Years a Catholic Priest: R.I.P. Father Leonard Chrobot

Things were different in May 1964, when Father Leonard Chrobot was ordained to the priesthood. The Mass was entirely in Latin; the priest faced the altar during the liturgy; and the faithful knelt at the communion rail to receive the Eucharist.

Father Len saw many changes in his priestly life, but this didn’t change: He loved being a priest, and he loved his Polish roots. He had served as coordinator of the American Polish Research Fellowship Program at Notre Dame. He was one of the founders of the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs in Washington, DC, and was co-founder of the Polish American-Jewish American Dialogue in Detroit. which developed into the National Polish American-Jewish American Council. Father Chrobot was one of 18 United States delegates to the 50th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1944; served as president of the Polish American Historical Association from 1987-1989. 

His many responsible positions included service as academic dean at St. Mary’s College from 1968-77 and as president from 1977-88. Before his retirement last year, he served as pastor of two parishes in South Bend, Indiana: St. Hedwig’s and St. Patrick’s.

Last Monday, Father Chrobot was involved in an auto accident which sent five people to the hospital. Unfortunately, his injuries were serious; and he passed away on Tuesday morning, just days before a planned liturgy on Thursday to celebrate his fifty years of priestly ministry.

WNDU.com reports that Fr. David Kashangaki, current pastor of St. Hedwig Catholic Church, remembered his friend:

“He liked to tell the story of the immigrants that founded these two churches. That was a big part of his two regular discussions. He was always talking about that and very very proud of what those immigrants did and how they pushed to develop them.”

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend has issued a statement expressing sadness at his passing:

Bishop Rhoades and the priests of the Diocese were deeply saddened upon receiving the news of Father Len Chrobot’s car accident and subsequent death.

Father Chrobot’s 50th anniversary as a priest was to be celebrated along with other jubilarians at a Mass this Thursday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne. Fr. Chrobot will be remembered in a special way at that Mass. The Bishop is especially remembering in prayer Fr. Chrobot’s family and the parishioners of Saint Hedwig and Saint Patrick Parishes in South Bend. He asks all to pray for the repose of the soul of Father Chrobot. Bishop Rhoades stated: “Father Len served for 50 years as a priest. He will be truly missed by so many who experienced the Lord’s grace through Father Len’s ministry. May God grant him the reward of his priestly labors.”

Rest in peace, Father Chrobot. May Almighty God, Whom you served with devotion and excellence, welcome you to the heavenly kingdom, and may you enjoy the reward which He has prepared for you.