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The 125th International Investiture of the Order of St. Stanislas
It is always an inspirational experience to witness investitures of new Dames and Knights of the venerable chivalric Order of St. Stanislas. Everyone in attendance of this high anniversary investiture was a highly accomplished person of sterling intelligence and charitable nature. It is truly a pleasure to be associated with such distinguished persons.
in Warsaw, Poland, on 6 September 2008
by Dame Heide Anna Maria Countess Gulgowski-Doliwa, CStS-JC
Many illustrious individuals, present and past, grace or have graced the ranks of our honorable and charitable chivalric organization. Among them are:
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The plaza in front of the Victoria Hotel is the silent witness of the hourly changing of the honor guard,
who are paying
their never-ending respect to the revered, fallen heroes of Poland.
Prince Grand Master Juliusz Sokolnicki Nowina enters St. John’s Cathedral amidst ladies in their finest attire and a Polish Air Force Brigadier General.
Dr. Don Hunsaker, Grand Prior of the Order of St. Stanislas of the United States of America, introduces Dame Heide Anna Maria Gulgowski-Doliwa, CStS, JC, Chancellor of the Order of St. Stanislas for the Great States of Wisconsin and Illinois, and Commodore Dr. Paul W. Gulgowski-Doliwa, to the Prince Grand Master.
The High Mass for the 125th St. Stanislas investiture was celebrated by Chaplain Brigadier General Father Stanislaw Rospondek (standing at the lectern). At one point after the completed Mass, the Prince Grand Master addressed the entire audience. He thanked the Dames and Chevaliers from the United States, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Hungary, Ukraine and Great Britain for not having missed this memorable occasion.
Members of our beloved Order from priories and commanderies from Malopolska, Wielkopolska, Staropolska, Swietokrzyska and Slaska were also in attendance.
The authors of this article take the opportunity at this time to thank the soldiers and airmen of Poland’s Armed Forces for having ornamented the investiture church service with their handsome and colorful appearance. Special compliments are rendered to the contingent in traditional, historical uniforms.
Generally speaking, more than 130 Dames and Chevaliers attended this particular St. Stanislas ceremony. Thirty-two Dames and Chevaliers were invested or promoted. The photograph above depicts a Polish General being invested by the Prince Grand Master while Grand Commissioner Chevalier Orland Maria Count Machnikowski and General Rospondek look on.
Making new friends and meeting old ones is another treasured experience when attending investitures of our Order. The photograph above depicts, next to the authors, from left to right: Dr. Stanislaw Stawowiak 1, Mrs. Eva Baroness von Lison, and Mr. Thaddaeus Baron von Lison (far right), who was one of our new postulants.
The City of Warsaw was nearly totally destroyed during World War II. However, and thanks to God, it resurrected itself like a phoenix from the ashes, to which the above pictures eloquently attest.
We say a fond good-bye to Warsaw and its Bohemian-type friendly people by paying our deepest respect for their love of art and music. Their favorite composer son is Frederic Chopin, whose works are frequently performed in the many inviting parks of this very green capital city of Poland. The above photograph shows an audience of hundreds on a Sunday morning, listening to Chopin renditions by a Japanese lady pianist.
AUTHORS' FOOTNOTE:
1 
Article regarding Dr. Stawowiak's contribution as creator and founder of the Grand Cross of Merit with Crowns of the Order of St. Stanislas.
Thank you.
