At the conclusion of our discussion of religious practices, let us also look at the observance in the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help of practices described as devotional, which were—or at least could have been—signs of a special, more intense religiosity. In this case, two matters are generally taken into account: frequent Holy Communion and the number of priestly and religious vocations.
The total number of Communions distributed in the parish over the years 1970–1983 was around 100,000 annually. Calculated per eligible Catholic, this amounted to approximately 9–10 Communions. The smallest number of Holy Communions was distributed in the first year of pastoral work (1970), when the total reached 43,500. The reason for such low attendance at the Eucharistic Table should be seen both in the slow process of adapting to the new pastoral centre and in the difficult conditions surrounding the reconstruction of the church, which meant that a large part of the parishioners practised their religion in the mother church, that is, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the following years, a significant increase in the faithful’s participation in receiving the Eucharistic Food was observed. In 1971, 92,500 were distributed; in 1972, 89,500; and in 1973, 96,000 Holy Communions.
In 1974, 120,202 Communions were distributed, raising the number received by the average Catholic to 12 during the year. This was the fruit of the Holy Mission conducted in the parish at that time by the Redemptorist fathers. Subsequently, a minimal decline was observed, although it did not fall below the lower limit of 91,000 in 1983, which amounted to approximately 8–9 Communions per person. In considering the statistical level of Eucharist distributed after 1974, certain peaks should be taken into account. These were 1975, with 116,550 Communions distributed; 1979, with 108,000; and 1980, with 124,500. The considerable increase in those years should be explained by events affecting the Church as a whole, which resonated within the parish. These included the Holy Year of 1975, when the Holy Mission was renewed, and the visit of the Polish pope to his homeland in 1979, for which the entire parish community prepared through the renewal of religious life in the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist.
In summary, it may be added that a large number of parishioners were satisfied with receiving Holy Communion once a year. Generally, however, when a Mass was requested, the entire family went to Confession and received Holy Communion.
From the first days of pastoral work, the parish regarded priestly vocations as an important matter. In communion with the Universal Church, the faithful took part in fostering vocations through communal prayers and special pastoral initiatives.
The Bolesławiec church offered prayers especially during Masses for priestly and religious vocations, celebrated on the first Thursday of every month, as well as during the annual observances of Vocations Week. On Good Shepherd Sunday, homilies devoted to vocations were preached, and catechetical and discussion meetings were organised; in 1972, the Day of Prayer for Vocations was led by seminarians from the Wrocław Seminary. Young people showed particular interest in vocations by participating in the annual days of recollection for young women in Krzeszów and Częstochowa, as well as in three-day retreats for young men held at the Higher Metropolitan Seminary in Wrocław. The fruit of all these efforts was the awakening of numerous priestly and religious vocations in the parish.
During the period under discussion, the following parishioners received the sacrament of Holy Orders: Fr. Mirosław Wójtewicz in 1970, Fr. Stefan Dombaj in 1976, Fr. Ryszard Nowak in 1978, Fr. Zdzisław Lec in 1979 and Fr. Stanisław Szłowieniec in 1981. In addition, Henryk Trościanko, a graduate of the general secondary school, entered the Higher Seminary in Wrocław in 1980.
The analysis of devotional practices can be expanded to include a whole range of other acts of worship in which substantial participation by parishioners was observed. These included participation in May devotions (approximately 300 people), June devotions (approximately 350 people), October devotions (approximately 350 people), Bitter Lamentations (approximately 350 people), the Way of the Cross (approximately 350 people), and Vespers. Large numbers of the faithful also took part in pilgrimages and indulgence celebrations, as well as in the novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, attended by approximately 500 people. The Living Rosary Circles also testified to the vitality of religious life.
Ultimately, it must be said that in the parish under discussion in 1970–1983, there was a large group of Catholics who experienced their religious life more intensely through practice. Another group consisted of practising Catholics who attended Sunday Mass and tried to receive Holy Communion more often than once a year. There was also a group of nominal Catholics who missed Sunday Mass but tried to fulfil their Easter duty; finally, the parish included a group of holiday Catholics who attended church less frequently.