Journal Studia Polonijne is a yearbook published since 1976 by the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin and The Learned Society of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. It focused on interdisciplinary approach to Polish migration and Poles living abroad, called 'Polonia'. (more)
Rev. Profesor Edward Walewander (1947-2025)
Copyright (c) 2026 Studia Polonijne https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Catholic Church in Belarus: A Bibliographical Outline for 1989-2007
Rev. Władysław Wyszowadzki, Arcybiskup Szczepan Wesoły. Przewodnik na drogach wolności [Archbishop Szczepan Wesoły, a guide on the paths of freedom], ed. Paulina Jabłońska, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego 2023
Bp Andrzej F. Dziuba, Pasterz. Kard. Józef Glemp. Dzieje życia od narodzin do roku 1981 [Pastor. Cardinal Józef Glemp: His life from birth to 1981], Kraków: Wydawnictwo Stacja 7 2023
American Patroness: Marian Shrines and the Making of U.S. Catholicism, eds. Katherine Dugan and Karen E. Park, New York: Fordham University Press 2024
Footprints of Polonia: Polish Historical Sites across North America, ed. Ewa E. Barczyk, New York: Hippocrene Press 2022
Pięć „Ojczyzn” i dwa „Diabły”. Zbiór studiów o prasie polonijnej i emigracyjnej w latach 1865-1918 [Five ‘’Fatherlands” and two ‘’Devils”. A collection of studies on the Polish Diaspora and émigré press in 1865-1918], ed. Stefan Gąsiorowski, Warszawa: Instytut Historii im. Tadeusza Manteufla PAN 2024
The Research Activity of the KUL Centre for Polonia Research and Pastoral Care of the Polish Diaspora in 2024
Ludwik Henryk Bojanus (1776-1827) – A World-Class Scholar Within the Structures of Vilnius University
The aim of this article is to present the broad scientific competencies of Ludwik Henryk Bojanus and his contribution to the overall development of the University of Vilnius, especially in the field of veterinary medicine. In this regard, the qualifications of the scholar have been presented, focusing on his ability to create innovative experimental techniques in the field of observational-experimental research, theoretical foundations, and organizational-educational aspects. His skills, along with knowledge of research conducted in international bodies, allow him to be considered a world-class scientist, working at that time within the structures of the University of Vilnius.
Pastoral Care of Polish Emigration in Austria, Great Britain and France in the 19th Century. An Attempt at Comparison
This article aims to present and compare the conditions of the Polish emigrant pastoral ministry in three Western European countries in the 19th century (Austria, France and Great Britain). Such a choice was dictated by source research related to this geographical and national area, which I have conducted over the last fifteen years. The selected countries were characterised by different approaches to Polish emigration. They also presented different models of attitude towards Catholicism. The Polish concentrations on the Danube differ significantly from the emigrants living on the Seine and Thames. In the Habsburg capital, pastoral endeavours were mainly driven by the spiritual needs of the aristocracy and the young people studying. This distinguishes the wanderers in Britain and France, where pastoral care had national and identity characteristics. Polish missions and pastoral centres were a point of reference for the émigrés in Paris and London, which integrated the Polish community and made efforts of not only a religious but also a cultural nature.
The Case of Polish Foundations in Rome and Loreto during the Napoleonic Period
This article is devoted to attempts to recover Polish foundations in Rome and Loreto during the period of the Duchy of Warsaw. These were primarily two Roman churches: St. Stanislaus and Madonna del Pascolo, together with their buildings, including the St. Stanislaus hospice. In addition, there were estates, for example three vineyards near Loreto, and funds allocated before the partitions to support Polish pilgrims in Rome and to educate Polish youth in Italy. As a result of the partitions, these foundations came under Italian administration and were lost to Poles living in Italy. Knowledge of them survived thanks to a group of Polish priests who remained in Rome. These were Gabriel Sokołowski, Ignacy Zdzieborowski and Juda Mickiewicz. The subject also arose in the Duchy of Warsaw itself, among other things during preparations for the possible conclusion of a concordat with the Holy See and in 1812, when it was hoped that the Kingdom of Poland would be revived as a result of the war with Russia. In this context, there was an argument for restoring to Frederick Augustus the prerogatives of Polish monarchs, whose successor he was not so much by the grace of Napoleon Bonaparte as by the will of the Sejm, expressed in the Constitution of 3 May.
The Chodźko Family From Krzywicz – A Family Divided in the 19th Century by Politics
The noble Chodźka family from Krzywicze is known to researchers who have repeatedly presented the achievements of its members. The paper presents the impact of the 19th century political changes taking place in the Russian partition on the fate of the Chodźka family. The professional careers of Jan Chodźko and his sons were pursued in the social and political conditions determined by Russia. They forced the Chodźka family to leave their ancestral home and scattered them around the world. The two older sons – Józef and Aleksander – entered the Russian service and achieved success in their scientific work. The younger sones took part in the November Uprising 1830 and left the country after it, actively participating in the life of independence emigration. Jan and his son Władysław were exiled to the Urals for their patriotic activities. Despite the difficult operating conditions, all Chodźkas achieved professional successes and recognition from their compatriots. Jan fulfilled his literary work devoted to Lithuanian history and culture. Józef, Aleksander, Stanisław and Michał achieved professional successes in their selected areas of activity. Despite political restrictions and state borders dividing them, the Chodźka family maintained contact with each other and with the country.
Overview of the Activities of the Polish Community in Rome of the Congregation of the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Church of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr in Rome in the Years 1966-2012
The article presents the activity of the Roman community of the Congregation of the Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sercanki) during the most intensive period of the congregation’s work for the Polish diaspora, namely from 1966 to 2012. The analysis is based on previously unpublished archival sources, including the congregation’s documentation preserved in the General Archive and the General Secretariat of the Congregation of the Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Kraków, as well as in the community’s archive in Rome. The purpose of the study is to highlight the contribution of the Sercanki to the religious and social life of the Polish émigré community in the Eternal City, with particular emphasis on their involvement in pastoral work among the Polish diaspora as well as in informational and editorial activities. This topic fits within the broader research trend concerning the role of female religious congregations in the life of the Polish diaspora and emigration after the Second World War.
Among the Bakongo People. The Kwangi Mission in the Free State of Congo (1892-1908)
The Congo Free State (also known as: the Independent State of the Congo) was established by the Treaty of the Berlin Conference (1884-1885) and remained the sole property of Belgian King Leopold II Coburg until 1908. Only Belgian missionaries were allowed to do missionary work in the country, the exception being a Pole from the Galician Jesuit province, Father Jozef Markiewicz (1865-1908). Jesuit missionaries were entrusted with the care over the Kwango Mission, located in the southeastern part of the territory of the Congo Free State. Missionary Joseph Markiewicz SI left behind many letters and a diary, which are a description of the mission's functioning, the activities undertaken by the missionaries and also a record of personal impressions that are testimony to the cultural clash. Through a comparison of literature and archival materials, it has become possible to learn about the method of evangelization work, extensive charitable and educational care, relations between missionaries and state authorities, and the relationship between Jesuit missionaries and the local Bakong population.
The Parish as a Space of Cultural Activity for Polish Immigrants. Around the Amateur Theatre Scene in Chicago until 1914
This article is a form of the author’s reflection on the role and significance of ethnic Polish parishes in stimulating and sustaining the cultural activity of Polish immigrants settled in Chicago – at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century the largest and organisationally most important centre of the Polish diaspora in the United States. Attention was focused on activities related to the development of the Polish theatre scene. This theatre, amateur in its character, enjoyed great interest from audiences. It had a utilitarian character – it educated, provided role models, moralised and gave an opportunity for contact with the Polish language, literature, culture, folklore and history. A large group of members of parish communities were actively involved in theatre activities. Drama societies were established at the inspiration and with the support of the clergy. Efforts to prepare both more elaborate productions and other, less demanding, stage forms were also made by the faithful belonging to other parish organisations, for whom cultural activity was not their primary activity. The text cites examples of stage initiatives from the two communities most involved in this respect: Holy Trinity Parish and St Stanislaus Kostka Parish, the oldest Polish parish in the city, both located in the north-west of the city, in the area known as the ‘Polish Downtown’. The latter was associated with, among others, one of the most famous and popular artists and directors – Szczęsny Zahajkiewicz, whose works were commonly present on Polish stages, not only in Chicago.
From Krzepice to Canada. Rev. Franciszek Olszewski’s Polish Work in Alberta Prairies
Rev. Franciszek Olszewski (1869-1955) was born in Krzepice in the Russian partition. Religious atmosphere found in his family home led him to become a priest. Having finished his education in Salesian centres in Italy and graduating from theological studies in France in 1900, together with several oblates he went to Canada to do missionary work. After being ordained to the priesthood in 1900, he joined the clergy of the Diocese of St Albert and he did not become the member of the order. He did dynamic missionary work in the spirit of Polish patriotism. He established the Kraków settlement as well as a range of smaller Polish parishes with churches and chapels. He took religious care of Polish emigrants’ children. In order to continue that mission, he obtained approval for establishing the Sisterhood of Auxiliaries of the Apostolate to do schoolwork. In 1910, fire occurred in the Kraków settlement, which was his greatest work. As a result, the fire consumed the church as well as the church and school buildings. He was willing to rebuild the burnt settlement, however, his rheumatic problems prevented him from normal functioning. The same year, together with nuns he moved to the USA, where he ran a lively Polish mission in several dioceses until his death in 1955.
Polish Promethean Action in Manchurian Harbin, 1920-1939
At the onset of the Second Polish Republic, relations with Soviet Russia formed the main focus of Poland’s eastern policy. This was caused by the incalculable nature of the Soviet Union. The victorious war against the Bolsheviks of 1919-1921 allowed Poland to retain its sovereignty, while negating the idea of federationism which involved creation of a federation of Central European states capable of resisting Russia. Federalist aspirations were replaced by Prometheism. The movement was intended to trigger the liberation of Russian-dominated peoples, including Ukrainians, Georgians and the Mountaineers of Caucasus. Harbin, a city founded in the late nineteenth century in Northeast China, became the locus of this political project.
The Vilnius Period in the Lives of Priests Professors Czesław Falkowski and Ignacy Świrski
The protagonists of the article are professors of the Faculty of Theology at Stefan Batory University in Vilnius in the inter-war period. Vilnius was not the first place where the lives of the two priests crossed. It was St Petersburg and the Metropolitan Seminary, and later the local Theological Academy. Both joined the Polish Army in the early days of independence, during the period of fighting for the borders. Falkowski and Świrski were also given chairs in Vilnius in 1921, which they held until the university was liquidated in December 1939. They then found employment (until 1942) as professors at the still functioning Vilnius Theological Seminary. When the seminary was reopened in 1944, they continued to teach there. In 1945 they moved to Białystok, where the former Vilnius Faculty of Theology and the Vilnius Theological Seminary had been transferred. Soon after, they became bishops; Świrski in Siedlce and Falkowski in Łomża. There were more elements linking the two priests: they held important organizational functions in the USB (rector, dean), in the inter-war period they sympathised with the same political trend – the national camp. Both were also heavily involved in charity work (in Vilnius, but also later).
The Pastoral Ministry of Fr. Piotr Gołębiowski among Poles in Yugoslavia
This article addresses the previously unstudied stay of Fr. Piotr Gołębiowski in Yugoslavia, who at the time served as spiritual director at the diocesan seminary in Sandomierz (later bishop and apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Sandomierz, with a cause for beatification currently underway). He traveled there in the summer of 1935. He first took part in the celebrations of the National Eucharistic Congress, and subsequently visited his colleague, Fr. Władysław Zdąbłasz. Both priests carried out pastoral ministry among the Polish colonies, and most notably, from July 29 to August 4, 1935, they conducted a parish mission for the Polish community in Devetina. These missions – like other services organized by them – were met with great interest and gratitude on the part of the local Polish community. After their conclusion, Fr. Piotr Gołębiowski, together with his colleague, traveled to Rome, where they had an audience with Pope Pius XI. Upon returning to Poland, Fr. Piotr Gołębiowski published an article – divided into three parts – in the diocesan weekly, in which he presented the realities of life for Poles in Yugoslavia. He described their living conditions, their longing for Poland, and their deep attachment to the Roman Catholic Church and Polish tradition. At the same time, he noted that, in the context of an unfavorable political situation, certain factors were contributing to a weakening of faith among the Polish population, as well as to processes of cultural assimilation. He emphasized the urgent need for Polish priests to carry out pastoral work among them.
This article is devoted to the soldiers of General Władysław Anders’ Second Polish Corps, the most extraordinary army in Polish history and the most extraordinary of all Allied armies during the Second World War. It was the only “wandering army” consisting exclusively of prisoners of war, prisoners and exiles, and the only one commanded by prisoners of war (those who did not fall victim to the Soviet Katyn massacre in 1940). It was also the only Allied army whose route led across half the world and three continents – from Europe through Asia and Africa back to Europe. Its soldiers, 75% of whom came from eight Polish provinces east of the Curzon Line, wanted to follow in the footsteps of General Jan Henryk Dąbrowski’s Legions 150 years earlier and march “from Italian soil to Poland”. And it was these soldiers who victoriously decided the six-month-long “battle of seven nations” for Monte Cassino (called “the fiercest battle of World War II”), opening the only route to Rome for the Allies. American radio commentator R.G. Swing called the victors “the best soldiers the current war has produced”. The soldiers of Anders’ “wandering army” also became heroes of a legend about their care for both their fallen comrades and the inhabitants of the liberated Italian cities, as well as their concern for Italian monuments and cultural heritage.
Geography of the Redemptorist Missions of the Warsaw Province and Care Among Poles and Polonia from 1946 to 2016(2025)
Since 1946, the quarterly “Nasze Wiadomości” has systematically documented the missionary work of Polish Redemptorists, including care for the Polish diaspora around the world. The Warsaw Province has covered areas e.g. Argentina, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. The missionaries also carried out their ministry among Poles, and activities varied depending on the country and historical situation. Compatriots of the Redemptorists could make up a significant part of the parishioners, especially in labor emigration; in the former Soviet republics, there was a national minority of Polish origin, whose religiosity had been suppressed for years. In South America, the Redemptorists worked in vast areas where Poles were scattered, but sought to maintain Polish identity and religiosity. Missionaries in each of these places had to cope with cultural and linguistic differences, which affected the form of their ministry. They celebrated the sacraments, organized parish missions and retreats for all the faithful, but also cultivated Polish culture and history, as well as learning the language, to strengthen national identity among emigrants and descendants of Poles around the world.
‘The Great Lady From Quai d’Orléans’. Irena Gałęzowska (1891-1977) – Curator of the Polish Library in Paris
The article is dedicated to Irena Gałęzowska (1891-1977), a curator who was associated with the Polish Library in Paris for over 50 years, playing a significant role in Polish cultural activities and the preservation of Polish literary heritage in France. Gałęzowska was also an author of books, numerous articles, and studies in scientific journals in the fields of philosophy, sociology, psychology, as well as the history of literature, Polish philosophy, and the history of the Great Emigration. Additionally, she was involved in social initiatives.
Activities of Polish Veterans’ Organisations in France Portrayed in Syrena Weekly
The article focuses on the role of Syrena weekly as the voice of Polish veterans’ organisations in France. The magazine documented and recorded the activity of organisations such as the Union of Polish War Refugees, Association of Reservists and Former Polish Military Personnel in France, Federation of Polish Defenders of the Fatherland, Polish Organisation for the Struggle for Independence, and the Grenadier Society. The development of these organisations and their impact on the social, cultural and political life of the Polish Diaspora is presented on the basis of archival records of the Polish Catholic Mission in France. A special emphasis is given to the Grenadier Brigade, part of the 4th Infantry Division continuing the traditions of the 1st Grenadier Division, which fought in Alsace and Lorraine. Moreover, Syrena chronicled veterans’ celebrations such as the Day of the Polish Serviceman, dedications of military standards and the Third of May celebrations. The weekly furthermore documented the operations of the Veterans Homes in Lille and in Paris and pastoral care for the Polish Diaspora, with army veterans playing a significant role.
Economic Council of the Polish Embassy to the Holy See
In 1951, Msgr. V. Meysztowicz, the canonical counsellor of the Polish Embassy to the Holy See informed the priests of Polish origin about the lack of financial resources to maintain the Embassy and the need to suspend its activities. Therefore several priests decided to establish an Economic Council. The Economic Council of the Polish Embassy to the Holy See, was formally established at the meeting on May 11, 1955 in New York. It was headed by Rev. Msgr. F. Kowalczyk, and the secretary Rev. Msgr. W. Rojek. The established Council began collecting funds within is scope and without publicity. She was active in the 1955-1958. Unofficially, she had the support of bishop: Gawlina, Krol and Woźnicki. However, official aid for Embassy came in the following years through a resolution of the American Episcopal Conference within the National Catholic Welfare Conference (American Caritas), and this aid was the official reason for the suspension of activities. The American Episcopal Conference’s assistance to the Embassy turned out to be temporary. Therefore, in March 26, 1959, Msgr. W. Rojek called a meeting of the presidium of the former Economic Council and asked bishop Woźnicki to provide his valuable advice and tips on what and how we should do this matter. However, Polish priests continued to individually provide material support to the Embassy. The documentation of the Council’s activities was secret.
Looking Forward to October. The 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the June 1956 Events in Poland in the Pages of the Emigration Journal “Narodowiec”
In the first half of the 20th century, there were around 500,000 Poles living in France. They were mainly miners. To meet the needs of the Poles living in France, Michał Kwiatkowski published the journal “Narodowiec”. The pages of this newspaper covered issues both related to the life of Poles in France and issues concerning the situation in Poland, the Soviet Union and other countries of the communist bloc. Important events for the history of communism in Europe took place in 1956, culminating in the so-called October Breakthrough, which brought Władysław Gomułka to power in Poland. Before this happened, other important events took place in the first half of 1956, such as the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Poznan workers' uprising. The journal “Narodowiec”, published in France for Poles living there, covered all these matters meticulously for its readers.
Janina Bartkiewicz (1912-1975) and Her Work with People with Leprosy in Uganda in 1965-1975
The article is devoted to Janina Bartkiewicz (1912-1975) and her work in leprosy treatment facilities run by Dr. Wanda Błeńska (1911-2014) from 1965 to 1975. It describes Bartkiewicz’s departure to Uganda, which resulted from her long-standing friendship with Błeńska. The process of acquiring medical, linguistic and technical skills necessary for work in Africa is also presented. The article further describes Bartkiewicz’s achievements in the fields of prosthetics, orthopaedics and physiotherapy during her ten-year stay in Uganda. It also takes up the topic of cooperation between Bartkiewicz and Błeńska for the smooth functioning of leper colonies. The article is based on archival materials stored in the Archives of Modern Records, the Museum of the Scouting Movement, the Archives of the Polish Episcopal Commission for Missions and the Archives and Pomeranian Museum of Polish Home Army and the Polish Women’s Military Service. The archival materials are supplemented by letters written by Bartkiewicz from Africa to her friends in Poland, as well as accounts and biographical studies.
From Sandomierz to the African Bush. The Zambian Mission of Rev. Marceli Prawica (1939-2017)
The article presents biography of Rev. Marceli Prawica (1939-2017), a priest of the Sandomierz Diocese and later Radom Diocese, who for 45 years was a missionary in Zambia. He left for Africa in 1972. First he was a missionary at the Holy Trinity Parish in Kabwe, the Archdiocese of Lusaka. Then, from 1976, he served in Chingombe, one of the most difficult missions. He spent 41 years in that cut off from civilization mission post in the African bush. For 14 years he was accompanied by Archbishop Adam Kozłowiecki who following his resignation from the position of the Lusaka Metropolitan Archbishop settled in Chingombe. The article presents the circumstances of Rev. Prawica going on a mission and his missionary work history in Zambia.
The Activities of the Wanda and Bronisław Stala Family Based on Archives form the Collection of the Polonia Center of the University of Rzeszów
The article is devoted to Stala family – Polonia activists from Belgium. It is based on archives form archival collection of UR Polonia Center that have been not published yet. The publication contains several chapters. First of them is refer to the history of Stala family. Next parts tell about different areas of Stala family activity: PSL Branch in Genk-Zwartberg, Polish Cultural Association, construction of Polish House, Song nad Dance Ensemble “Krakus”, football club “Cracovia”. The article represents a contribution to research about Polonia in Belgium. It is also a case study of the Polish emigrants fortunes after the Second World War.
Circles and Societies of Friends of the Vatican John Paul II Foundation in the World in the Years 1981-2014: The Global Impact of the John Paul II Foundation in Rome
The John Paul II Foundation in Rome was established by papal decree of October 16, 1981, as a non-profit organization with the primary goals of supporting educational, scientific, cultural, religious, and charitable initiatives related to the pontificate of John Paul II. The Foundation's official headquarters is in the Vatican. Its main agencies are: the Foundation's Secretariat in the Vatican; the Polish House in Rome for pilgrims, along with its Museum; the Center for Documentation and Research of the John Paul II Pontificate, including the Library and Archives (currently being relocated from the Polish House to the center of Rome); and the Foundation’s House in Lublin for young people – scholarship recipients of the scholarship program from the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. The Foundation is able to fulfill its mission only thanks to the generosity of its members worldwide. Most donors are already members of associations, circles, and friends of the John Paul II Foundation. Currently, as of 2024, there are 47 circles and associations of friends of the Foundation in 18 countries on five continents, including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Poland. The John Paul II Foundation is able to pursue the goals and activities set for it by John Paul II thanks to the ongoing spiritual and financial support of members of the Foundation's Circles of Friends. The John Paul II Foundation is always ready to cooperate with organizations and institutes that promote and disseminate the teachings of John Paul II in unity with the Holy Church.
Chicago’s “Teacher’s Voice” (1986-2015) as “A Womens World”
This article presents the functioning of the editorial office of the “Teacher’s Voice” published in Chicago, which is the only educational title published in the US from 1986 to 2015. It was created on the basis of research conducted during trips to the US, analysis of the quarterly's content and the literature on the subject. In the course of collecting and compiling the collected material, methods from the borderline of history and press studies were used. The purpose of the conducted research was to answer the question of how the editorial board functioned; what were the characteristics of its activities; who physically “created” the magazine. It was found that the main effort put into the functioning of the title was borne by female editors and teachers, who constituted the entire editorial team and the vast majority of the authors of the papers published in its pages. It was established that they were the ones who gave direction to the work of the quarterly and were the authors of the vast majority of the papers posted in it.
The Establishment and Organisation of the Romek Strzałkowski Polish School in Athens
The article presents the events related to the establishment and organisation of the Romek Strzałkowski Polish School in Athens, which began to take shape thanks to the efforts of Polish emigrants living in Greece in the 1980s. It was intended to fulfil educational, integration and care functions. Due to the fact that Polish emigrants went to Athens with a view to leaving for richer capitalist countries, an educational institution was necessary for children and young people to continue their education started in Poland. In addition, such a school was needed to take care of children while their parents were working. This article is based on a review of source material produced by Polish institutions and Polish communities abroad, mainly in Greece. The analysis of the sources confirmed that the establishment of this facility was accompanied by various political and regulatory problems, as most Polish emigrants were staying in Greece illegally. Ultimately, the institution began to function as a Home for Polish Emigrants residing in Greece. Its organisation was modelled on the Polish education system, with a few crucial changes, so that the functioning of children and young people in their new environment would be facilitated. Essentially, the certificates issued by other educational institutions were to be recognised. The Romek Strzałkowski School was created as the first institution of its kind in Greece. Later, further educational initiatives emerged. In the late 20th century, this resulted in the formalisation of an educational project based in Athens under the name of the Zygmunt Mineyko Schools, which opened a new chapter in the development of Polish education in Athens.
John III Sobieski in the Art and Writings of Polish Americans
In view of the mass emigration to the USA and its multifaceted self-organisation, the Polish community there was described in social literature at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries as the “fourth district”. Various motifs interpreted in the spirit of identity and independence played a key role in its self-definition. Therefore, historical and religious heroes were sought who, on the one hand, could point to the distant and glorious past of the Polish state and, on the other hand, in accordance with the character of the era, could be presented as voluntary victims for the sake of their needy and threatened homeland. One of the figures highlighted in this context was Jan III Sobieski. The article refers to works of art and literature created in the Polish diaspora. As it turns out, the king was seen as a symbol of the struggle for freedom and unity of a nation in captivity. He was a symbol of indomitable courage, independence and freedom. Jan III Sobieski was depicted in the company of saints and in sacred spaces reserved for them, equating the king with Poland's heavenly intercessors. However, while Polish saints were depicted in isolation from the specifics and history of the United States, Sobieski was associated with the idea of fighting for freedom also in the context of the American struggle for independence. It is worth noting, however, that he did not become a hero on a par with Pulaski and Kosciuszko. Unlike the latter two, Jan III Sobieski represented monarchism in addition to the idea of freedom. The Polish community was a working-class one, and although the king was a proud symbol of times past, he could not become a hero with whom a simple emigrant could identify.
The Importance of the Polish Diaspora for the Cultural Security of the Republic of Poland
The subject of this scientific inquiry is an attempt to identify the utilitarian value of the Polish diaspora’s contributions in terms of protecting national identity, from the perspective of contemporary challenges and threats to our cultural security. This raises fundamental research questions about the methodology for selecting these contributions and the potential scope of their current impact. These considerations will be accompanied by the thesis that such contributions could be used in shaping national identity, which is, in part, a foundation for a properly functioning state security system. This relationship is underscored by key state documents, including the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and the National Security Strategy. However, the observed practice in this regard does not foster an appropriate level of relationship between the state and the diaspora. Nevertheless, past experiences, as well as the number and distribution of individuals around the world who identify with Polishness, suggest the possibility of leveraging this currently underappreciated potential. This potential could play a role in public diplomacy, particularly in strengthening the positive image of the Republic of Poland and its cultural and economic appeal, as well as in supporting the process of shaping national identity, especially among the younger generation. The author believes that it is worth considering the application of a basic criterion, which could involve classifying selected cultural products of the diaspora as national cultural assets, as designated by relevant legislation. These assets are directly linked to maintaining balance in cultural security, thereby supporting the state security system.
Personal Parish as a Still Relevant Structure of Polish Pastoral Care in Canada
Over time, the structures of Polish-language pastoral care in Canada have been shaped and it functions to this day. What is very characteristic of it is the fact that one of the basic institutions in these structures is personal parishes to this day, in contrast to, for example, the neighbouring United States of America, where this pastoral care is based on completely different structural solutions. In this article, referring to the example of Canada and Polish-language pastoral care, we want to confirm that a personal parish is still a valid proposal for the structures of migrant pastoral care and can provide proper pastoral care for this group of believers. The article will discuss the process of shaping the Polish community in Canada, the structures of Polish pastoral care, personal parishes in Church documents and the contemporary functioning of this type of pastoral care in Canada.
Housing Shortage: A Serious Social Problem in Ireland
The presented article focuses attention on an urgent issue in modern Ireland – gaps in the real estate market. It would seem that in the era of post modernity, consumption as well as the development of new technologies, basic existential problems are not considered in the first place, furthermore, a person might pursue additional requirements than the basic necessities of Maslow’s pyramid of needs. The socio-economic situation, according to studies as well as statistics, is somewhat inconsistent. Ireland possesses several characteristics on the subject of which the reader is able to read in the following article. First, the country is experiencing an increase in the number of citizens, a relatively high population turnover, as it has gone from being an emigration country to an immigration country. A further aspect is a major social problem – shortages in securing the housing needs of the native and immigrant residents. The indicated deficiencies imply a number of social problems that include pauperization, social exclusion, marginalization, problems of homelessness with, above all, loss of opportunity for economic development of this island country.
The Challenges Facing the Polish Diaspora as Seen by Young Americans of Polish Descent from Chicago
The aim of this article is to analyze the ongoing transformations within the structure and identity of contemporary Polish diaspora communities in the Chicago metropolitan area, with a particular focus on the youngest generation of Polish Americans. Drawing on a series of in-depth interviews conducted with students aged 18-24, the author identifies key factors shaping the attitudes and interests of young people of Polish descent toward their ancestral homeland. The study highlights the increasing spatial dispersion of the Polish community in Chicago and socio-political changes taking place among young representatives of the Polish diaspora. Furthermore, the research points to the growing importance of direct contact with Poland and the role of state institutions in fostering cultural and identity-based connections among young diaspora members. Although the study is exploratory and not representative, it offers valuable insights and serves as a foundation for further research on post-millennial generations of Polish descent and the future of the Polish diaspora in the United States.
Catholicism as a Factor of Building National Identity on the Example of the Polish Community in Great Britain
Despite the fact that the Catholic Church is a universal institution with global reach, particularisms are revealed within it. They refer primarily to language issues and customs. For this reason, it is necessary to develop appropriate mechanisms in pastoral work, thanks to which it would be possible to provide effective care to Catholics who decide to emigrate. This problem was noticed quite early, in the Middle Ages, in the face of intensifying pilgrimage movements. Poles are a nation whose members willingly emigrate, especially since the 19th century. One of the directions of Polish settlement was and still is Britain. In the 19th century, Poles came there for political reasons, at the end of the 19th century and until the outbreak of World War II, economic immigrants dominated. The Poles were accompanied by priests-compatriots. Their presence was conditioned by the size of the Polish community and its age. In the past and at present, it is observed that the pastoral activity of Polish priests influences the strengthening of Catholicism and Polish national awareness. Over time, assimilation processes intensified, accompanied by anglicization and protestantization or religious indifferentism. Polish pastoral care slows down these processes, but does not stop them.
Between Declaration and Commitment. The Religious Practices of Young Polish Emigrants in the United Kingdom
The present study concerns the declaration of faith among young Polish emigrants in Great Britain and their conscious involvement in parishes or Polish institutions. It is common, especially among young people, to notice a discrepancy between the declaration and the conscious participation that is its practical confirmation. It is also a fact that there is a phenomenon of change in the religious landscape of Polish émigrés in Great Britain with particular reference to the abandonment of the practice of faith. The main question therefore concerns the relationship between declaration, knowledge and involvement in the life of Polish parishes and institutions. The research carried out indicates that a secularising context, different from that in Poland, underlies the abandonment of private prayer and public religious practice. Increasingly, a change is also observed already at the level of declarations in relation to religiosity, as well as knowledge of the Catholic Church, which is the most numerous institution for Polish emigrants in Great Britain, and other Polish diaspora organisations. It appears that contemporary young Polish émigrés living in the UK do not pay attention to nurturing the spiritual factor in themselves, and are not even interested in the existence of institutions aimed at shaping their religiosity or national identity.
Hybridity as a Tool for Promoting Polish Culture Abroad. “The Anglo-Polish Cultural Exchange” in Practice
The aim of the article is to present the phenomenon of hybridity from a cultural perspective, which is present at the level of activities related to the promotion of Polish culture abroad. The article refers to Barbara Fatyga’s concept of “living culture”, in which individuals, social groups and institutions create more or less permanent cultural practices. Today, these activities take place in a hybrid reality, combining cultural practices in the real world and those initiated on the Internet. This article presents these two ways of understanding hybridity, drawing on the case study of the “Granville-Skarbek Anglo Polish Cultural Exchange” project, which provides a platform for combining elements of Polish and British culture in a joint activity. The project was launched in 2022 as a space to showcase the relationship and interface between the two cultures over the past 200 years.
Endless Repatriation. The Impact of the Actions of Polish Political Elites and Dramatic Social Changes on the Shape and Effectiveness of the Repatriation Process of Descendants of Poles Deported to Kazakhstan in 1936
The article describes, in chronological order, political decisions and legal acts adopted in Poland concerning the unfinished repatriation of Poles from Kazakhstan. This is an example illustrating the policy of the Polish state towards its own minority (Kin-states Policies). The author refers to the concept of Identity Process Theory (IPT) and the classical definition of the diaspora by W. Safran. The direct link between processes at the macropolitical level and identity changes at the individual level was emphasized.
“Exceptional Set Off” – Systematically Governed. About Not Accidental Migration “Crisis”
The paper addresses the phenomenon of contemporary mass immigration from the global South to the Nord. The thesis put forward holds that this movement has not been accidental, and it has been systematically governed, currently by means of migration pacts. The global migration system seems to be the goal of this management. The article aims to discuss this thesis. It is based on the relevant theory of migration system, as well as the available data concerning South-Nord mass migration, and applies the desk research method.
A The Research Topics on the Polish Diaspora by Prof. Andrzej Bonusiak
Andrzej Bonusiak began his research on the Polish diaspora in the late 1990s. His work can be divided into two main areas: one focused on Polish education in the United States from the mid-20th century to the first decade of the 21st century, and the other centered on the cultural, educational, and organizational activities of the Polish minority in Ukraine. While studying selected aspects of the activities of Polish communities in the United States and Ukraine, he also traced the transformations occurring within them.
Poles and Polonia in Venezuela – Past and Present
The article describes the history of Poles and the Polish community in Venezuela, focusing on their migration and influence on Venezuelan society. The first Poles arrived in Venezuela in the 19th century, often as political emigrants, but until World War II, only a few people decided to settle in Venezuela, such as Wojciech Lutowski, a key figure in the development of 19th-century engineering in Venezuela. It was not until the second half of the 1940s that more Poles arrived in Venezuela, mainly soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces in the West and former prisoners of German labour camps. It was then that the first Polish community organisations were established to support Poles and promote Polish culture. Spiritual support was provided by Polish chaplains, and from 1970 to the beginning of the 21st century, the Polish Catholic Mission was active. Currently, organisations such as the Association of Poles in Venezuela and the Friends of Poland Club are still active in Caracas. The Club's activities are particularly important, as it is primarily involved in intensive educational activities, organising Polish language and culture lessons for children, young people, students and adults. However, the number of Poles in Venezuela is gradually decreasing and today there are probably no more than 800-900 of them.
A Venezuelan Woman Learning Polish in Venezuela
This article narrates my personal journey as a Venezuelan in my immersion in learning multiple languages, culminating in the current study of Polish in Venezuela. From my early multilingual experiences in Brazil, the text explores how contact with different languages and cultures has shaped my linguistic identity. The account focuses on the unexpected origin of my interest in Poland through gastronomy and how the opportunity to take Polish classes at my alma mater, UCAB, thanks to an agreement with the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), became a significant challenge and an enriching cultural experience. The article highlights the influence of a dedicated teacher, the phonetic and grammatical challenges of Polish, the fascination with Polish culture, and the presentation of cognates as a point of linguistic intersection. Finally, I reflect on the personal expansion that learning a new language entails, connecting the individual experience with Wittgenstein’s view on the limits of language and the world.
Poland’s Presence in Venezuela. Centuries of History That Endure Over Time
The main objective of this work is to bring us closer to the Polish community and its roots in Venezuela, through a brief exploration of the protagonists who traveled to these lands in the 19th century and left a lasting legacy over time. Anonymous figures are acknowledged by history and hold a prominent place within these few pages.
A Forgotten Battle. The Charge of the Vistula Lancers Regiment in Avenidas De Montizón (Sierra Morena) During the Peninsular War (20 January 1810)
On 20 January 1810, during the Spanish War of Independence (Peninsular War), a military confrontation took place in the Sierra Morena mountains between the 4th Corps of the Grande Armée under the command of General Horace-François-Bastien Sébastiani and the remnants of the Spanish army that had been able to regroup after the disastrous battle of Ocaña. The successful and fearsome Polish Vistula Lancers Regiment, already famous among their enemies, conquered that day one of the passes linking La Mancha and Andalusia. However, this feat, so comparable to that of the Polish chevau-légers of the Imperial Guard at Somosierra in November 1808, did not make it into the history books, not even Polish ones. This article analyses the course of the battle, the reasons why it was forgotten and also, thanks to the contrast of documentary sources and new techniques for studying the terrain, clarifies the exact location of the battle.
The Role of Father Juan De Dios Andrade in the Political and Ecclesiastical Context of Twentieth-Century Venezuela
This article analyzes the role of Father Juan de Dios Andrade as a central figure in the Christian resistance against the dictatorship of Marcos Pérez Jiménez in Venezuela. It studies his pastoral work as well as his literary and journalistic production, understood as instruments of ethical denunciation and social mobilization in a context of political repression and censorship. Special attention is paid to his famous homily “Abajo Cadenas”, delivered in January 1958, conceived as an act of affirmation of popular sovereignty and defense of fundamental rights. Based on the analysis of primary and secondary sources, the study reflects on the role of the Catholic Church in the Venezuelan democratization processes and on the validity of Christian commitment in authoritarian contexts.
Reflections on Cuban-Venezuelan Relations in the 20th and 21st Centuries
This article analyzes Cuban-Venezuelan cooperation between 2000 and 2023, focusing on its political, economic, educational, and medical dimensions, as well as its geopolitical significance. Following Hugo Chávez’s rise to power, relations between Cuba and Venezuela evolved into a strategic, anti-imperialist alliance grounded in revolutionary ideology and a vision of regional integration. This cooperation was implemented through initiatives such as ALBA, Petrocaribe, and social programs including Misión Barrio Adentro and Misión Robinson. The article outlines the key benefits of this partnership – such as Cuba’s access to subsidized oil and the deployment of thousands of Cuban medical professionals in Venezuela – alongside the challenges, including growing energy dependency and the political instrumentalization of social assistance. Particular attention is given to the transformations that occurred after Chávez’s death and amidst Venezuela’s deepening economic crisis, which significantly influenced the scope and dynamics of bilateral cooperation.
A Wooden Cross from Táchira. Study on the Relations between the Catholic University of Lublin and Venezuela
Since its inception, the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin has established and maintained fruitful relations in the areas of science, education, culture, and other fields of activity with numerous institutions and organizations in Europe and around the world. Spanish-speaking countries are also among KUL’s partners. This topic has not yet been comprehensively studied. This article presents KUL’s contacts with Venezuela, symbolized by the cross from Táchira, given to Pope John Paul II by one of the country’s residents in 2001. The relations established in the mid-1970s have borne fruit in the form of joint scientific and research projects, publications, and conferences. They are coordinated by the KUL Institute of History, in particular the Department of the Spanish World, Politics, and International Relations.