Men's Sodalities in Kraków at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries Cover Image

Sodalicje mężczyzn w Krakowie na przełomie XIX i XX w.
Men's Sodalities in Kraków at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries

Author(s): Katarzyna Krzysztofek-Strzała
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence
Published by: Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II - Wydział Prawa, Prawa Kanonicznego i Administracji
Keywords: sodality; moderator; integration; law on religion; freedom of religion; Churches and Religious Association

Summary/Abstract: At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries Kraków was home to many Catholic and Church organisations and among them numerous Marian Sodalities. It was a particular kind of Church association created for every social, sex, age or occupation group. The sodalities aimed at spirituals growth of their members. Due to their great diversity the sodalities were popular with many citizens of Kraków who wished to devote their time to perfect themselves and deepen their Catholic faith. The sodalities followed a similar organisational structure in which an important role was played by a spiritual guide, a moderator, who usually was a Jesuit Father, as the sodality movement was born inside the Society of Jesus. A link with the Church hierarchy could also be seen in approvals of sodalities by Church authorities, in uniting them with the Primary Sodality (Prima-Primaria) in Rome or approvals of the Kraków Curia and granting the Kraków's bishop the rights within the sodality. The existing men's sodalities at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries drew together priests from Kraków diocese, merchants, craftsmen and artisans, and the intelligentsia. The cooperation of people with similar views and occupation, or belonging to the same social group resulted in strong integration and mutual support in fulfilling their sodality commitments.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 16
  • Page Range: 137-160
  • Page Count: 25
  • Language: Polish