OPIEKA DUSZPASTERSKA NAD POLAKAMI NA WĘGRZECH DO 1939 ROKU
PASTORAL CARE OF POLES LIVING IN HUNGARY UNTIL 1939

Summary/Abstract: The pastoral care of Poles living in Budapest dates back to 1897. In Köbánya (District Ten), Holy Mass celebrations for Polish labourers started on Sundays and holidays. The venue was the Conti Chapel in Kápolna Place, founded by the Conti family from Italy. Temporary pastoral care was provided by Fr. K. Benedikovics, upon authorisation from the Hungarian church authorities, and subsequently by a Slovak priest, Fr. V. Havlíček. Changes in the organization of the Polish pastoral center followed the visitation of Archbishop Józef Bilczewski, Metropolitan of Lvov. By his authorization, pastoral care of 30 thousand Poles was assumed by Fr. Wincenty Danek in 1908, which in 1910 received an official name: Polish Curatorial Office. For the execution of particular tasks, many social institutions were established, such as the Church Erection Committee, Association for the Erection of “House of the Poor”, and the “Shelter” Association later on. The church in Kőbánya Place hosted the Catholic Association of Female Youth and the “Polish Table” of St. Stanislaus Kostka. In 1925, construction of a church started, which was consecrated by Cardinal A. Hlond on 17 August 1930. Next to the Polish church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Ohegy 11 Street), a shelter for the elderly and a rectory were erected. The pastoral care of Hungarian Polonia was supported by priests from diverse religious orders and congregations, Salesians, Paulines, and Poznań-based Elisabethan Sisters. Moreover, very frequently, the Polish pastor would invite priests from Poland to conduct retreat services, assist at Christmas and during Lent.

• Details
• Contents