Pomiędzy Jasną Górą a Piekarami Śląskimi. Źródła i materiały do dziejów kultu maryjnego w parafii Siemonia na pograniczu śląsko- -małopolskim (XVII–XX wiek)
Between Jasna Góra and Piekary Śląskie. Sources and Materials on the History of the Cult of the Virgin Mary in the Parish of Siemonia on the Silesian-Lesser Poland Border (17th–20th Centuries)

Summary/Abstract: The Roman Catholic parish of All Saints in Siemonia lies on the border of Upper Silesia and Lesser Poland, on the latter side. Founded in 1225, it situated 8 km from Piekary Śląskie and 58 km from Jasna Góra. The celebration of its 800th anniversary became the basis for research on its history. The cult of the Virgin Mary in this parish undoubtedly has medieval roots. However, the first written records date back to the 16th century. The collected and analyzed sources and materials present both tangible and intangible evidence of cult of the Virgin Mary in the parish. The exceptionally rich collection of sources and materials on this topic includes: descriptions of church decorations (altars of Our Lady, images of Our Lady, and the votive offerings hung around them); descriptions of Marian shrines erected on private properties; hymns in honor of Our Lady; church documents attesting to the special devotion to Our Lady; accounts of pilgrimages to Marian shrines; and descriptions of Marian celebrations, such as the Visitation of the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa. In 1676, noblewoman Zofia Nawalska donated an image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to the parish church in Siemonia. Over time, it became an element of the main altar of the church, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help was often considered the principal patron saint of the parish. The parish of Siemonia is therefore one of the oldest places in Poland where veneration of Our Lady in this dedication is attested. The 17th-century painting burned down in a church fire in 1959. To mark the 800th anniversary of the parish, a new icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was commissioned and consecrated by Bishop of Sosnowiec – Artur Ważny (June 29, 2025).

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