On 10 December 2023, at 10:30 a.m., a Sunday Mass was held in the Church of St. Roch in Białystok, which gathered many participants and crucial social and ecclesiastical figures.
As editor of the Polish Białystok paper Club Center of Cursed Soldiers, I had the honour to be part of this event.
Archbishop Joseph Guzdka presided over the Mass at which he gave the memorable words: “Sisters and brothers we may be arrogant that the Podlasie earth gave birth to a blessed priest, George Popielusz, a follower of St. John the Baptist, he was elected and called in the late 20th century to form by preaching the Word of God righteous human consciences capable of distinguishing right from incorrect fact from lies. His teaching, and especially the martyr's death for faithfulness to God the Man of Homeland are loudly cried out fear those who kill the Body but cannot kill the soul.”
These beautiful words moved me and the gathered, and the banner mails were kept on defender under 3 symbols: the image of Our woman of Solidarity Workers, a copy of the fresh York Cross and relics of Blessed Fr Jerzy Popieluszko,
and commemorative plaque of Fr Jerzy Popieluszko chaplain of Solidarity.
The 42nd anniversary of the introduction of martial law in Poland and the martyrdom of Blessed Fr Jerzy Popieluszko was besides mentioned during Mass.
The emergence of the NSZZ “Solidarity” was a threat to the communist system. In the Kremlin, the creation of “Solidarity” was considered a disaster of “Polish comrades”. Wojciech Jaruzelski I KC secretary PZPR, who took power in Poland in December 1981, as part of Operation “Azalia” with the aid of the MMA and HR forces, took over the facilities
Polish Radio and tv and blocked home and abroad connections in telecommunications centres. Groups of militias, ZOMOs and SB officers have entered into a cryptonym operation Jods to intern “Solidarity” activists and political opposition leaders.
The function of Fr Jerzy Popieluszko, whose words “Solidarity is the unity of hearts, minds and hands rooted in ideals,
which are able to transform the world" are inactive an crucial message. At the end of the Mass, Archbishop dedicated the plaque to the honour of Fr Jerzy Popiełuszko, who was born in Okopach on 14 September 1947.
Marianna Popieluszko, the parent of Fr Jerzy, said: “I received a kid from God and gave it into his hands. I think he was chosen as a martyr, and I repent with him.”
Józef Mozolewski, president of the Management Board of the Podlaskie Region of the NSZZ “Solidarity” stressed the request to remember these tragic events and to pass them on to the youngest generation.
Among the participants of the Mass were many crucial guests, including Józef Popieluszko, brother of Fr Jerzy, Józef Mozolewski, president of the Management Board of the Podlaskie Region of the NSZZZ "Solidarność", Dariusz Piontkowski associate of the Polish Republic, Bohdan Paszkowski Wojewóda Podlaski, Agnieszka Małgorzata Rzeszewska, president of the Regional Education and Education Section of the NSZZ "Solidarność" in Białystok, Mrs. Stasia, Janusz Purwin from the W. I. R. Club, Zdzisław Panasewicz, Józef Racewicz and Piotr Kiercel, editor of the Polish paper Club Białystok Center of Cursed Soldiers.
This event was not only a time of prayer and reflection, but besides an chance to remind about crucial moments in Poland's past and the strength of the spirit that survived the trials of time.
Author and Photograph: Piotr Kiercel
“Gazeta Polska” club Białystok Center for Cursed Soldiers
