From 1945 to 1970, Holy Missions were held in the Bolesławiec parish four times: in 1947, 1957, 1962 and 1966. In this article, I would like to present the Holy Missions of 1947 and 1957.
Holy Missions in 1947
The Holy Missions were organized from 23 to 31 August by Canon Andrzej Gromadzki. The parish priest used every possible means to prepare the faithful as well as possible for experiencing these very important spiritual exercises. Thus, approximately 2,000 printed copies of an “Invitation to Participate in the Holy Mission” were distributed among parishioners in leaflet form. The invitation addressed the following issues:
-What is a Holy Mission?
-Who is the Mission for?
-When I do not have time for the Mission...
-Will the Mission give me anything to eat?
-What will the Holy Mission give everyone?
The invitation received the Imprimatur of the Apostolic Administrator of Wrocław, and it was printed in Legnica at the “Czytelnik” establishment on Mariacki Square. An “Appeal to the Catholics of the Town, Parish and Bolesławiec County” was also distributed. Here is an excerpt: ...I appeal to you, Dear Faithful, that by participating in the Holy Mission—by attending the missionary instructions and receiving Holy Confession—you may demonstrate that, with filial love, you follow the guidance of the Church, which is and will remain our refuge and ark of salvation. Therefore, for the greater glory of God, for the salvation of our own souls, for the good of the Nation and the Polish State, to thank God for our lives being spared, and to ask for a blessing on the work begun in the Piast Lands, let us all participate in the Holy Mission. It begins on Saturday, 23 August, at 6 p.m. Further details can be found on the posters, in the announcements from the pulpit and on the noticeboards by the church. Bolesławiec, August 1947, Fr. A. Gromadzki. In addition, a booklet by Fr. Marian Pirożyński, Preparing a Parish for a Holy Mission, published in Wrocław in 1947, was used in the direct preparations for the Mission.
Posters announcing the Holy Missions were also distributed. Invitations were sent to offices, institutions and associations in Bolesławiec. In the invitations, Fr. Gromadzki asked the superiors to release their employees for one hour so that they could hear the missionary sermon at 8 a.m. At the same time, the parish priest asked them not to organize any gatherings, meetings, entertainments or rallies during the missionary instructions. The Mission itself was entrusted to the Redemptorists from Wrocław, led by Fr. Marian Pirożyński. Unfortunately, we have no information about the attendance of the faithful during the Mission or its spiritual effects. It should nevertheless be assumed that it bore considerable spiritual fruit, given the thorough preparations accompanying it. Moreover, these were the first such serious ecclesiastical events in the new, post-war reality of our town.
At the end of the Mission, the parishioners—more precisely, the employees of the local sawmill—funded a mission cross made of oak wood. It currently stands beside the parish church. In 1969, it was renovated by Mr Stanisław Szaja and mounted on a concrete pedestal. A metal plaque engraved with the date of the Holy Mission was placed on the cross: “Holy Mission in Bolesławiec, 23–31 August 1947.” At the beginning of October 1948, a renewal of the 1947 Mission was held. It was again conducted by the Redemptorists from Wrocław.
Holy Missions in 1957
The Mission was organized by the dean and parish priest, Fr. Józef Tomaszewski. It took place during Lent, from 23 to 30 March. To open the Mission, children and young people gathered on Saturday, 23 March, at 3 p.m. After the instruction, Confession was organized for them, so that throughout the retreat, by receiving Holy Communion, they could support the adults in their missionary efforts. Instructions for children and young people were given on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
That same day, 23 March, at 6 p.m., the Holy Mission for adults began. The missionary fathers were solemnly welcomed, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. After the liturgical welcome, the first missionary instruction was delivered.
On Sunday, 24 March, instructions were given during all Holy Masses. The order of services and missionary instructions was announced each day during the evening services. Confessions were heard daily for several days, with the help of priests from neighboring parishes.
The Holy Mission was conducted by Redemptorists from Kraków, represented by Rector Fr. Jan Dochniak and Fr. Konstanty Franczyk. Instructions were given every morning and evening. Especially in the evenings, the church was filled to capacity with the faithful. Many confessions were recorded, and confessors did not leave the confessionals until around 10 p.m., and sometimes even later. At the end of the Mission, with a very large number of parishioners present, people gathered at the mission cross, where, among other things, the Marian Year was commemorated with special prayers.
The Mission contributed significantly to the renewal of religious and moral life in our town. This is demonstrated, among other things, by the number of Holy Communions distributed at that time, estimated at approximately 15,000.