It was a sunny day, filled with joy, familiar faces and a spirit of gratitude at the Parafia Wniebowzięcia  (Church of Our Lady of the Assumption) of Wielogłow, Fr. Dominik Waclaw’s home parish, where he celebrated his 25th anniversary of priestly ordination.

The celebration, held yesterday, brought together family members, friends, confrères and Fr. Didier Lawson, General Councillor, who joined the jubilarian in marking this significant achievement in his priestly life.

More than simply a commemoration, this was an opportunity to give thanks for the many places, responsibilities and people that have shaped his missionary vocation. And while he was back in the familiar setting where his story began, his priesthood has since taken him far beyond it.

After his ordination, Fr. Dominik was appointed to Tanzania, where he served from 2001–2004. His three years in Tanzania brought him into the daily reality of the mission, where he served alongside the local Church and accompanied communities in their pastoral life.

He was then sent for studies in Counselling at the University of Manchester in England from 2004 to 2007.

From 2007 to 2011, he returned to Africa, serving as Dean of Studies at the SMA Formation House in Nairobi, Kenya. During these years, his missionary experience became increasingly connected with the formation of future missionaries.

From 2011 to 2016, Fr. Dominik undertook doctoral studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

In June 2016, he successfully defended his doctoral thesis in spirituality, entitled “To be a missionary from the bottom of my heart: The charism and the spirituality Ad Gentes of the Society of African Missions.” A theme which reflects his concern for missionary identity and his understanding what it means to live the charism and spirituality of the Society of African Missions.

His experience and formation subsequently led him into leadership and formation responsibilities. From 2016 to 2019, he served as Vice Superior of the SMA in Poland. In 2019, he was called to Rome to serve as Secretary for Initial Formation and Integrity of Ministry, SMA Safeguarding Coordinator, and Rector of the Collegio Missioni Africane.

Formation has remained an important dimension of his service to the Society.

Speaking, for instance, during the 2026 Plenary Council, Fr. Dominik highlighted the importance of preparing missionaries for an increasingly complex world, stressing the value of intercultural formation and the experience of encountering different languages and cultures from the earliest stages of missionary formation.

Today, Fr. Dominik serves as Superior of the SMA Province of Poland, continuing to place his experience of mission, formation and leadership at the service of the Society.

His 25th anniversary therefore represents more than a personal achievement. It is a moment to look back with gratitude on a journey that has crossed continents and responsibilities: from Tanzania to Kenya, from Manchester to Rome, then Borzęcin Duży, and from pastoral to formation and leadership.

With trust in what lies ahead, Fr. Dominik continues to place his priesthood at the service of the mission, ready to embrace whatever the years ahead may bring.

Brice Ulrich AFFERI