11/03/2026
Annual PICROL & OLSM Day of Service
Today, on All Souls’ Day, 24 upperclassmen from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory joined the Polish Institute of Culture & Research for our annual Day of Service at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
These young men and women, leaders in their classrooms, on the athletic field, and in their communities, put their faith into action through service, prayer, and remembrance.
Students cared for the graves of Polish Blue Army veterans, members of the Orchard Lake Schools community, and the 239 Felician Sisters laid to rest at the cemetery.
They also learned about General Józef Haller’s Blue Army and the nearly 40,000 Polish men living in America who volunteered to fight for Poland’s independence during World War I, many from Michigan. General Haller visited our campus twice, and his bust stands outside the Galeria today as a reminder of that remarkable history. In 2023, Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) honored Blue Army veterans at Holy Sepulchre with new military headstones.
With sleeves rolled up, students cleaned headstones, pulled weeds, and raked leaves. What was especially moving was watching several students take the initiative to care for neighboring graves that had been neglected. Others paused to pay their respects at the graves of their own family members.
The day concluded with prayers offered in Latin, Polish, and English.
In Polish Catholic tradition, All Souls’ Day is a time to remember the faithful departed, tend their resting places, and pray for their souls. Today, our students carried that tradition forward with compassion and purpose.
We are grateful to our students and to all who helped make this meaningful day possible.
Service is an expression of faith. Remembrance is an act of gratitude. Today, these young people demonstrated both.
May all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Wieczny pokój, wieczny odpoczynek racz im dać, Panie.
-Ania Bieciuk, Associate Director for Polonia Affairs
