CELEBRATES MEMORIAL MASS

   Holyoke, Aug, 1—Very Rev Lawrence M. Cyman of Chicopee, provincial of the Order of Minor Conventuals, was celebrant at the solemn high mass In memory of Rev Ignatius Maternowski, captain, and a paratroop chaplain, who was killed on D-day in France. Capt Maternowski was a native Holyoker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Maternowski of 13 Prospect street.

Springfield Republican (Springfield, MA - August 2, 1944)

(courtesy of David R Barr)

Grave marker for Capt Ignatius P. Maternowski in Section B in the Mater Dolorosa Cemetery in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Polish inscription reads as:

"UR (born) 1912 UM (died) 13 GO CZERWCA (June) 1944.  KILLED IN FRANCE
R.I.P"

Father Ignatius Maternowski, (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) was the regiment's Catholic Chaplain.  He was awarded the Purple Heart after he was killed by a sniper, previously recorded as being on June 13, 1944

Revised and Re-Dedicated
after extensive research by Father James McCurry (OFM Conv.), the date of Father Maternowski's death has been corrected to read "6 June 1944" and a new frontispiece reads:

"HOLYOKE NATIVE--SLAIN BY A NAZI SNIPER
WHILST MINISTERING TO THE WOUNDED
ONLY CHAPLAIN TO BE KILLED
ON D-DAY IN NORMANDY
NO GREATER LOVE  ... "
(courtesy of Kelly Carrigg)

(l-r) Father James McCurry (OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of the Franciscan Friars) Fr. Raymond Borkowski, Kelly Carrigg (Lt Col, Ret, USA), Fr. Alex Cymerman after the blessing of the new stone.
   All three priests are from the same order as Fr. Maternowski.  Kelly teaches at the Saint Francis High School and is also a member of the Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial VFW Post #9249.  Fluent in French, she frequently represents the Post by speaking at the DeGlopper Memorial in Normandy near the La Fière Bridge.

View a video of the dedication ceremony produced by the diocese of Springfield, MA