Pogrzebień (Poland). On 25 September 2021 the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the presence of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Poland officially opened.
The solemn opening took place in Pogrzebień, where there are remains of Venerable Sr. Laura Meozzi who together with five sisters arrived in Różanystok on 5 November 1922 to begin a new mission.
Present at the inauguration were the Animators and Provincial Councils of the two Polish Provinces, Mary Help of Christians (PLA) and Our Lady of Jasna Góra (PLJ). Sr. Teresa Czekała and Sr. Anna Świątek, appointed by the Provincials who are engaged in Rome at the XXIV General Chapter, welcomed and greeted the government authorities and other representatives of the local institutions. The Totus Tuus musical group from the Wrocław School animated the event.
Sr. Sylwia Ciężkowska, FMA, Vice-postulator of the Congregation’s canonization processes, then presented a historical account on the theme: “A look at the 100 years of presence of the FMA in Poland.” The study of the story of each of the first sisters highlighted their heroism, fidelity, and love for the FMA Institute.
The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Fr. Marcin Kazanowski, Salesian of Don Bosco, Provincial of the San Giacinto Province (PLS), who in his homily underlined the aspect of transforming the water of our daily life into the best wine of love, which has its source in God and is the fruit of confident trust in His Providence.
After a convivial time with dancing and singing outdoors in front of the Pogrzebień Building, the house where Sr. Laura lived the last five years of her life (1946-1951), there took place the inauguration of the Hall of Memory of Venerable Sr. Laura Meozzi and the first sisters, with the blessing of the SDB Provincial, Fr. Marcin Kaznowski. The Totus Tuus musical group sang the Jubilee hymn and the author of the exhibition, Sr. Małgorzata Łukawska, illustrated the exhibition project and the centenary logo:
“The mission grew and developed on Polish soil. The FMA took part in educational activities, always open and in harmony with the life of the Church and of society, leaving in them the imprints of the Salesian spirit. The logo consists of 3 elements:
Mary Help of Christians is Mother and Teacher, present with the FMA from the beginning in Poland. Under her gaze and thanks to her maternal care, the mission was accomplished. We entrust to her the 100 years of history, the people who contributed with their lives to the construction of this reality.
100 years of presence in Poland. The stylized numbers form a window where you can see the Różanystok basilica in the background. The open windows invite to new beginnings and a new future.
The red and white road symbolizes a new path for our Institute in Poland. This path leads to discovering the originality of our charism in the challenges of contemporaneity, knowing how to respect the heritage of the past.
The logo is completed by the inscription: Jubilee of the presence of the FMA in Poland”. Video
The celebrations began on 25 September 2021, a time of gratitude to God and to those who contributed and contribute to the work of the FMA Institute in Poland. Other significant dates will be:
– The Feast of the Young People, from 15 to 17 October 2021.
– The Scientific Symposium “In the footsteps – Towards the future”, on 24 March 2022, in Wrocław.
– The official celebration of the 100th anniversary, on 11 June 2022, in Łódź.
– The prayer vigil in Jasna Góra, 5/6 November 2022.
– Thanksgiving pilgrimages of the Educating Communities to Różanystok, for which a guide with QR codes and an educational program for young people has been prepared.
Photo: Flickr FMA PLJ
