„YOU HAVE BEEN MOTHER AND QUEEN FOR CENTURIES”. THE MARIAN ASPECT OF THE MASS FOR THE HOMELAND CELEBRATED BY BL. FR. JERZY POPIELUSZKO – MAY 29, 1983 Cover Image

„BYŁAŚ PRZEZ WIEKI MATKĄ I KRÓLOWĄ” MARYJNY ASPEKT MSZY ŚW. ZA OJCZYZNĘ SPRAWOWANEJ PRZEZ BŁ. KS. JERZEGO POPIEŁUSZKĘ – 29 MAJA 1983 R.
„YOU HAVE BEEN MOTHER AND QUEEN FOR CENTURIES”. THE MARIAN ASPECT OF THE MASS FOR THE HOMELAND CELEBRATED BY BL. FR. JERZY POPIELUSZKO – MAY 29, 1983

Author(s): Grzegorz Kamil Szczecina
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Post-War period (1950 - 1989), Sociology of Religion, History of Religion
Published by: Instytut Teologiczno-Pastoralny im. św. Józefa Sebastiana Pelczara w Rzeszowie
Keywords: Jerzy Popieluszko; Holy Masses for the Homeland; Mother of God; Queen of Poland; nation;

Summary/Abstract: Holy Masses for the Homeland exercised by Bl. Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko in Warsaw’s Żoliborz, in the years 1982-1984, are one of the basic identifying elements of his ministry. During these liturgies, he delivered famous sermons, which with time became, among others, the reason for the actions of the communist repression apparatus aimed at the chaplain of “Solidarity”. Each of the monthly Eucharists was devoted to a specific topic, which was marked by a historical anniversary or a current social event. It was similar in May 1983, when Fr. Jerzy in the message of the Holy Mass for the Homeland, he focused on showing the Marian aspect of Polishness, as well as pointing to the Mother of God as the surest intercessor for the oppressed nation. This theme was contained in a broader Marian dimension manifested in the life and activity of the martyr of communism. The main idea of the Mass for the Homeland of May 29, 1983, was expressed primarily in the preaching of the blessed, sung songs, prayers of the faithful, artistic decorations decorating the chancel of the Żoliborz temple, as well as in the poetry recited at the end of the liturgy. Fr. Popiełuszko, referring to specific events in the past of Poland and to the suffering of his countrymen at that time, pointed to the accompaniment of Mary to the Nation, which, despite situations and adversities, always resorted to her, recognizing her as King. Fr. Jerzy portrayed the Blessed Mother as the surest confidant of hardships and suffering experienced by her countrymen during martial law. Thus, the blessed maintained hope and faith in Poles, and formed the religious and patriotic attitudes of his countrymen who at Mass. for their homeland they treated as an exceptional “island of freedom”

  • Issue Year: 2020
  • Issue No: 27
  • Page Range: 239-248
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Polish