Postcard - Memento from the funeral of J. E. Ks. Bishop Jaczewski

In the summer of 1914 Lublin hosted the funeral ceremony of Bishop Franciszek Jaczewski, who had taken over the administration of the Lublin diocese in 1889. His reign coincided with a difficult period of struggle against the Catholic Church and persecution of the Uniates. He was valued as a priest defending national freedom and religious tolerance. He opposed the preaching of state regulations from the pulpit.

Bishop Jaczewski died on 23 July 1914 after a long illness. His body was taken from the bishop's palace to Lublin Cathedral four days later. The funeral service was celebrated with the participation of clergy from the Kingdom of Poland and the Russian Empire. After the mass, the funeral procession set off towards the cemetery at Lipowa Street. The procession went through the city centre, gathering crowds of believers – citizens of Lublin and numerous visitors.

The coffin was preceded by church dignitaries: Bishop of Płock Antoni Julian Nowosielski, Ordinary of the Augustów Diocese Antoni Karaś, Bishop of Kielce Augustyn Łosiński, and Auxiliary Bishop of Luzk-Lytomierz Longin Żarnowiecki. One of the clergymen carrying the coffin was Father Zenon Kwiek, canon of the Lublin Cathedral Chapter who during the First World War acted as administrator of the Lublin and Podlasie dioceses.

The funeral was attended by delegations from various localities and representatives of state and military authorities and associations. Instead of wreaths, offerings were made to charity. A detailed description of the ceremony was published in the local press. An occasional postcard of the funeral procession marching through Krakowskie Przedmieście Street was also published.

Ten years after Bishop Jaczewski's funeral, his successor, Bishop Marian Leon Fulman, decided to move his remains to the basement of the Lublin Cathedral.