On August 31st 1949, in Bagno, he made his first religious profession. During the years 1949-1951, as student of 10th and 11th grade of Junior HS in the Minor Salvatorian Seminary in Mikołów, he was preparing himself for the secondary school certificate exam. In 1951-1957 he studied philosophy and theology at the Institute of the Dominican Fathers in Kraków. During his studies his missionary vocation was maturing.

He made his perpetual profession on September 8th 1953 in Trzebinia. He was ordained to the Deaconate on April 5th 1955 by the Most Rev. Franciszek Jop, in Kraków. He was ordained to the Priesthood on October 7th 1956 by the Most Rev. Stanisław Rospond, also in Kraków.

On August 6th 1957 Fr. Marcin was send to the Parish in Oborniki Śląskie, where he was a parochial vicar during the years of 1957-1959. On August 28th 1959 he was transferred to the religious house in Wrocław at Matejki Street # 4, for the so-called Tirocinium, ie. the pastoral year. Then, on October 5th of the same year, he was appointed the treasurer of the religious house in Wrocław.
The proof of a great trust and distinction for young Fr. Marcin was his appointment as a member of the Council of the Polish Province of the Society of the Divine Savior. Beginning March 29th 1960, for three consecutive terms of office he was a Provincial Secretary and during the years 1960-1963 and 1963-1966 he was a Third Consultor. Therefore he was transferred to the religious house in Kraków at Łobzowska Street # 22, where he was a Superior. Although he had numerous duties referring to his functions, Fr. Marcin often engaged in pastoral work.

The thought of fulfilling his missionary vocation did not leave him. In 1962 he declared his readiness to go the United States of America and work among the Poles living there. He received the necessary permission, but the communist government rejected definitely his petition for a passport. Therefore he remained in Kraków. On July 25th 1963 he was again appointed as Superior of the religious house in Kraków at Łobzowska Street # 22. In 1966 he renewed his declaration of readiness for missionary work among Poles in Parana State, Brazil.

Towards the end of 1967 for Fr. Marcin was offered an opportunity to work in Brazil. Together with two other confreres they went to Rome, where during their residence in the General House, the plans have changed. Urgent need of sending missionaries to Tanzania, Africa, caused the change of his travel destination. After consultation with the Provincial Superior Fr. Marcin Martyna agreed to go to Africa. In September 1968 he arrived in Tanzania. The first place of his missionary ministry was Lupaso, where he arrived on February 14th 1969. Later on he was a parochial vicar for one year in Nachingwea and afterwards, for a short period of time, a Pastor in Lupaso. For the longest period of time he worked in a Parish in Makulani, where for 19 years he was a Pastor. The school for catechists in Lukuledi, where he was the director for 12 years, was an important apostolic work of Fr. Marcin Martyna. The school educated numerous missionary assistants, who carried the Gospel to the inhabitants of Tanzania. The last African place of ministry of Fr. Marcin was a parish in Nakapanyi.

Because of failing health, after 38 years of extraordinarily generous missionary ministry in Africa, Fr. Marcin Martyna returned to Poland in 2006, and since then was residing at the community house in Warsaw. In 2007 Lech Kaczyński, President of Poland, awarded to Fr. Marcin Martyna the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta for his merits for the development of Polish-Tanzanian cooperation and for missionary work. In 2012 Fr. Martyna’s book was published under the title: „Wspomnienie miejsc i ludzi, do których posłał mnie nasz Zbawiciel” [Remembering places and people I was sent to by Our Savior].

In 2012 his health has worsened to such a degree, that he had to be provided with constant medical care. Therefore on May 19th 2012 he was transferred to the Care Center of the Borromean Sisters in Trzebnica, where he lived until his death.

His confreres will remember him as an exemplary religious priest and first of all as a man who was good and kind towards each person he met in his priestly life.

Fr. Marcin Martyna passed away on Sunday morning, January 26th 2014, in Trzebnica. He went to Our Lord in his 83rd year of life, 58th year of Priesthood and 65th year of religious life. His funeral took place on January 29th this year, at 11.00 at the Divine Savior church in Kraków-Zakrzówek. After 69 years he returned to the place that witnessed the beginnings of his religious and priestly vocation. He was buried in the religious community tomb at the Salwator Cemetery in Krakow.

Fr. Ireneusz Kiełbasa SDS