Father Marian Kokorzycki, parochial vicar of St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Lakewood, was bestowed the title of Honorary Canon of the Chapter of the Cathedral Basilica of Czestochowa by Archbishop Waclaw Depo of Czestochowa, Poland. The admission took place May 5 during the consecration of the altar in the basilica’s Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

An honorary canon is a title given by an archbishop or bishop to a priest who has served or is associated with a cathedral or basilica church. The title grants special privileges, including wearing clerical garb that reflects its status, similar to that worn by a monsignor.

In a letter to Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., informing him of the honor, Archbishop Depo told of finishing restoration work on the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and that Father Kokorzycki was one of the “few people that lent their precious time in helping for this work.

“I decided, as my gratitude to this priest, to grant him the canonical title,” wrote Archbishop Depo.

In closing his letter, the archbishop assured Bishop O’Connell that, “With the gift of prayer at the icon of the Black Madonna, Queen of Poland, I ask for you, good health and the gifts of the Holy Spirit for your service in the Church.”

Father Kokorzycki was born in Poland. He attended seminary in Rome and was ordained there in Santo Spirito (the Church of the Holy Spirit) May 24, 1998, by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski. He entered the Trenton Diocese in 2007 and was incardinated into the Diocese of Trenton April 8, 2010.