ATHOL SPRINGS, N.Y. — “The Rosary Hour did a lot of good for the Church and for the Polonia. But the time has come that, with regret and heartache, we must inform you, dear friends, that this is the end of broadcasting the radio program of Father Justin Rosary Hour in Polish.”
These words, dated October 25, 2020, unceremoniously marked the end the world’s oldest-running religious network program in the Polish language.
The first Rosary Hour programs were broadcast from what is now Corpus Christi’s Saint Maximilian Kolbe Center in Buffalo in 1931.
Its history is well-known. In 1926, one of the most popular Polish language programs was on WEBR, a comedy sponsored by the Kolipinski Brothers Furniture Store about a Polish couple living in Buffalo. In one episode of Podeszwa and Kordula, stars Sophia Hubert and Louis Faltyn joked about divorce. They decided it would be best to ask their parish priest – Fr. Justin Figas, OFM, Conv., at Corpus Christi Church – about the topic. At the audience’s request, Fr. Justin came on the next week and gave an entertaining talk about the Church and divorce.
His appearance on the show became the buzz of the community. Soon, Fr. Justin hosted his own segment, which grew into a separate show. It consisted of a religious rendition by a choir, followed by introductory remarks, and the introduction of Fr. Justin who gave a 20-to-30-minute talk. He covered a wide range of topics: Catholic doctrine, alcoholism, economic problems, and youthful behavior. In his last season (1959), his show was carried on 73 stations across the country and reached a weekly audience estimated at five million people. At one point the Rosary Hour was receiving over 80,000 letters a year.
Rosary Hour manager Jerry Kornowicz confirmed the final broadcast and said a decline in listeners was behind the decision. He added that while the radio broadcasts will end, the Rosary Hour “is not going out of business.” It will, he said, continue with Masses and novenas. The shrine located next to St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, will remain open. The website will still offer archival recordings of programs in English and Polish. Translating and the promotion of Fr. Justin’s work will continue.
The Rosary Hour invites you to listen to a special reminiscences program with the recorded voice of Fr. Cornelian Dende, OFM, Conv. – second director of the program. He will share the history of the Rosary Hour. This broadcast can be heard on the radio or internet at www.rosaryhour.com.
Ends 90 Years of Service to Community
Polish American Journal, November 2020
Fr. Justin Figas (June 24, 1886-October 23, 1959) answering mail at the Rosary Hour desk. His evangelical program, which begin in 1931, will no longer be broadcast.
It was the world’s oldest-running religious network program in the Polish language
The Rosary Hour office, shrine, and web site will remain active, as well as an on-going project to translate his talks into English.
