On the eight day of his visit Superior General visited Daughters of Charity in the Province of Krakow. The visit started in the morning in Provincial House at Warszawska Street in the Kleparz district. In the afternoon he was showed two of works Daughters of Charity run in the Krakow – St. Louise Children’s House and Helcel Nursing House. In the evening he went to neighboring grounds of (Vincentian) St. Vincent de Paul House at sw. Filipa Street in Kleparz district, too. We can provide you the story from the visit thanks to generosity and collaboration of Sr. Anna Brzek DC, the Visitatrice, Provincial Secretary, Sr. Monika Dlubacz DC and other engaged Sisters, whom we also thank for pictures.
Honorable Guest, as previously assisted by the Visitor and the Provincial Secretary, has arrived to Provincial House at 8 Warszawska Street at about 10 a.m. On the courtyard, Sr. Anna Brzek DC, Visitatrice, Director of the Province, Fr. Marcin Stasiowski CM and many Sisters welcomed him. His first steps Fr. Greg took to Infirmary and to meet Senior Sisters. Talking to them he emphasized importance of their mission fulfilled by suffering and prayer dedicated in the intention of the Company, Superiors and the Poor. He encouraged Sisters to live this mission with joy.
Another place to visit was the crypt under the chapel, where tomb of bishop Ludwik Letowski, bishop of Krakow in 1841-1848, foundator of the Provincial House is located. Bishop Letowski, canon, historian and author, member of Senate of Republic of Krakow was first buried in the Wawel Cathedral, but soon his body was move to his foundation – Daughters of Charity Provincial House at Kleparz.
From the crypt Fr. General went to Vincentian Marian Youth (JMV) Secretariat which National Headquarter is located in Provincial House in Krakow. Sr. Agnieszka Dutka DC, JMV co-ordinator in the Province of Krakow welcomed all guests. Fr. General learned about activities of the Association especially in reard of 350th Anniversary Year, looked at some publications prepared by JMV to help celebrate the Anniversary. Fr.Gregory has written the inscription in the Memorial Book of the Association.
At 11 a.m. the Eucharist began in the chapel. Fr. General presided. Assisting him were Fr. Arkadiusz Zakreta CM and Fr. Marcin Stasiowski CM. Other concelebrants were Fr. Bronislaw Tomczyk CM (once Director of the Province of Chelmno-Poznan), chaplain of the Provincial House and Fr. Bodgan Zapotoczny CM, superior of Kleparz House . In the homily Fr. General pointed meaning of gratefulness, hospitality and openess to receive especially abandoned ones. He emphasized the need of loyalty and faithfulness.
At noon, there was a community meeting at the table in Refectory. The time of meal became an opportunity to share not only the food, but words and joyt as well. Sr. Anna Brzek DC, Visitatrice outlined the history and present stuation of the Province. She talked about its works. Superior General shared his experience from recent Daughters of Charity General Assembly and his convinience about actions of Holy Spirit during the Assembly. He expressed few reflections on 350th Anniversary, too. He stressed the need to be legible and open toward young people; to show the Poor how God loves them; to live and grow in our virtues.
The partition of Poland between neighboring powers Prussia, Russia and Austria-Hungary caused new administration of Daughters of Charity on Polish territories adequate to new borders. In 1799 Galician Province was erected with the Procincial House in Lviv. Austrian Emperor, Joseph II, known of his special attitude to Church and interference in Church administration allowed Dauhghters of Charity to continue their mission because of its social, education an charotable character. Among other reasons, but mainly in consequence of so called Krakow Insurrection in 1846 when Krakow gained some autonomy and thanks to foundation of new house in Krakow, at Kleparz which 50 years earlier was included in the town limits and located alnog the Royal Tract toward Warsaw, next to St. Florian church Provincial administration was moved from Lviv to new built and established house. Since then we talk about Province of Krakow.
After WWI, when Poland regained independence works of the Provicne were extended for all southern and eastern parts of Poland including Western Ukraine up to Zbrucz River. In 1945, new state borders and loss of Eastern territories taken by Soviet Union Province lost almost 30 community houses. On the other hand they received new location in South-Western Poland especially in Silesia. Final steps of the visit in the Provincial House belonged to short meeting with groups of youth, who gather here from time to time and to visit in the Memorabilia Room. Sr. Visitatrice guided Superior General there puting into his attention most precious exhibits from the tresury and archives, documents about history of the Province and the life of Blessed Sister Marta Wiecka DC, who was member of Province of Krakow.
Next, Superior General moved from Provincial House to Kazimierz, another district of Krakow, where St. Louise Children’s House is located. For years Daughters of Charity run a shelter for girls and abused, alone women there, as provided such services like laundry washing for other community houses and Vincetians. Now they run the Children House where kids in various age are living and preparring for their own life. Father General recalled words of Jesus “let the children come to Me”. He encouraged Sisters to bring maternal care and love for the children. He eagerly went to meet with youunger and older children as well.
Later in the afternoon Superior General returned to Kleparz district where Louise and Ann Helcel Nursing House is located. It was founded and built in 1890. Mrs Ann Helcel, well know and notable wife of first deputy mayor of Krakow gave all her properties in her last will to build and run public institution for wounded, sick and elderly people. Daughters of Charoty were pointed in the foundation bill to take care and administer the new institution. Sisters took part in the project and construction of the house. Since the very beginning it was rocgnized as one of biggest and most modern nursing institutions in Europe. In the Helcel House for Poor, as it was first named, lived not only poor people. Part of the premises contained rooms for rich people who could afford high payments. Part of the payments was turned to cover care expenses for poor people.
During WWII Nazi troops occupied the building as their barracks. Sisters and residents were forced to move to temporary location in Szczawnica. Among patients and residents then, were number of Jews who were hidden and rescued by Sisters. Up to present times Helcel House has been one of the largest and most estimated care institutions in Krakow. In 1990s it was modernized and enhanced. There about 450 patients and residents here, men and women in various stages of thoir elderness and sickness. Tens of other people are waiting to be admitted here, because of the opinion of care standards level. Besides number of lay nursing and medical personel there is a community of 16 Daughters there. Another couple of sisters from Provincial House come to work there.
During the meetings with Sisters, residents and staff Superior General emphasized, that in the modern world when productivity is the main measure, eldelry people should be be shown the great dignity of Children of God. Fr. Greg visited also sick patients in their rooms, especially those who are immobile.
Next the Honorable Guest went to not distant located St. Vincent de Paul House at Sw. Filipa Street. We will report from this moment of the visit in another story.
International viewers can visit our English site to read stories from Superior’s General visit to Poland or follow us on Twitter. Facebook users can visit our page there. There’s a map of places visited by Superior General in Poland, too. Czytaj także pozostałe informacje na temat wizyty Przełożonego Generalnego w Polsce w naszym serwisie. Najświeższe informacje możecie znaleźć w kanale CM_Polonia na Twitterze. Użytkownicy Facebook-a mogą śledzić wizytę na stronie Zgromadzenie Księży Misjonarzy. Polecamy także mapę z zaznaczonymi miejscami odwiedzanymi przez O. Generała.
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