K. Soborak: Even today, erstwhile specified divisions are observed in Poland, it is worth going to Fr Jerzy

– Holy Masses for Homeland celebrated by Fr Jerzy in the church of St Stanislaw Kostka in Żoliborz were a large experience. We came here for hope, for words of truth. besides today, erstwhile specified divisions are observed in Poland, it is worth going to Father Jerzy – said Catherine Soborak, witness of the life of Fr Popieluszko, after Holy Mass for Homeland in the intention of unity in the nation.

This year, erstwhile we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the beatification of Fr Jerzy Popiełuszko, as the Archdiocese of Warsaw reported, in St. The cubes in Warsaw all last Sunday of the period will be held Holy Mass for Homeland with the intention of unity in the nation. After each of them in the home of Amicus at the Żoliborska parish, thematic meetings are planned concerning the life and service of the blessed martyr.

Fr Jerzy Popieluszko has led the monthly “Holy Masses for Homeland and those who endure for her” since 1982. Liturgy gathered many people not only from Warsaw and the surrounding area, but besides from all over Poland. They were besides attended by Fr Michał Janoch, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Warsaw, who presided over the Holy Mass on Sunday, 23 February with the intention of unity in the nation.

– I've been here twice, I couldn't get to church, I think most people were standing outside— mentioned during the homily on 23 February Bishop Janoch.– In a country trampled and enslaved, we came here to hear the words of freedom. In a land filled with hatred, we came here to hear forgiveness He spoke, and the Sunday sermon was the words about the request for forgiveness, as Fr Popieluszko always reminded.

The participants of the Holy Mass for Homeland led by Fr. Jerzy kept in head and heart the vivid memories of these exceptional moments and sermons of the chaplain “Solidarity”, who appealed for truth, freedom and respect for human dignity, who called for overcoming evil with good.

– “Listen to Jesus, as the people beg you.” I remember those words of the song “Go to Jesus” people sang from the bottom of their hearts, crying. We were convinced that God would change our reality. Then we looked at each another as individual close to us, individual we could communicate with. – recalls the atmosphere and spirit of those solemn Masses of the saints, Mrs. Catherine Soborak, notary in the beatification process. After the execution of Fr Jerzy, Mrs.Katarzyna Soborak headed the Centre for the Documentation of Life and Culture of the Martyr Priest and witnessed the realities of those years, and the service and mission of the chaplain of workers, metallurgists, medical circles. As she stressed, these Eucharists were a large experience and manifestation of unity for all. – We couldn't wait to see all another Mass. Times were very hard. People were thrown out of work, intimidated, beaten, many of our friends were in internment camps. In this hard situation and suffering the Holy Mass for Homeland gave us hope and strength to last the hard moments He's talking. He adds that in a country enslaved by the communist regime, they united people and gave them courage. Representatives of various backgrounds came to them: medical, artistic, working, sometimes unbelievers or unbaptized. oppressed by the communist authorities, they found a respite and a spirit of freedom. Many of them besides experienced the grace of faith, and then even accepted the sacrament of Baptism at the hands of Fr George.

Freedom oasis

The Holy Mass for Homeland was initiated in 1980 by Fr Theophile Bogucki, the parish priest of St Stanislaw Kostka in Żoliborz. Initially, it was Fr Bogacki who presided over the Eucharist and explained that specified a expression of prayer for the country was held in the past, especially in times erstwhile the Polish people experienced hard moments. On the last Sunday of February 1982 Fr Bogucki instructed Fr.Jerzemu to celebrate Holy Mass for Homeland, and since April of that year Fr.Jerzy chaired them periodically all last Sunday of the month. On these exceptional Sundays the interior of the church was decently decorated, and each Eucharist was accompanied by an elevated atmosphere and an appropriate artistic setting. The patriotic and spiritual poesy and fragments from the classics of Polish literature were proclaimed by well-known Polish actors, and they referred to crucial events and anniversaries. Fr Popieluszko was very thoroughly preparing for all homily. In them he referred to social-political reality always in the context of the Gospel and social teaching of the Catholic Church, including the teaching of Primate Wyszyński and John Paul II. He exposed the hypocrisy of communism, opposed the breaking and enslavement of consciences, social injustice, depravity, and trampling on human dignity. At the same time, he gave encouragement and hope to people persecuted and imprisoned by the communist regime. – They [the Holy Mass for Homeland-ed.] emotionally gave any strength, man was little afraid. It must be made clear that Poles as a nation were afraid – mentioned Fr Jan Sochoń, biographer of K. Popieluszko, in 1 of the statements for the program of the first Polish Radio in 2014.

Fr Jerzy's homilies were recorded, written and handed over from hand to hand, making many Poles arrive at St Stanisław Kostka's church all month. The faithful not only filled the temple, but besides the square in front of the church, surrounding area and close park. The message from the church in Żoliborz besides flowed outside Poland thanks to recordings of abroad television.

Communist authorities accused the chaplain of “Solidarity” of practicing politics, and government spokesperson Jerzy Urban called the Holy Masses for Homeland, among others, “seans of hatred”. safety and militia officers recorded, followed and bullied Fr. George. However, the political speech of the Mass was denied by the homilies of Fr Jerzy and those who participated in these Sunday Eucharists. besides those who were manipulated by communist propaganda initially saw Masses held by Fr George as political manifestations. But with curiosity, they came to them and experienced the spirit of unity, patriotism, and the strength of prayer.

– Holy Masses celebrated by Fr Popieluszko were hours of free Poland. There was a completely different air, another people, different contact and deep spiritual experience. From now on, I knew that no 1 could tell me that these were political performances or manifestations. – said Fr Jan Sikorski in his speech for the program of the first Polish Radio (2014). Fr Jerzy himself, referring to allegations of politicalism, pointed to the function of a patriotic attitude, the love of the country and its past in the process of converting and uncovering God.

On September 30, 1984, Fr Jerzy celebrated the last Holy Mass for Homeland. In October, he was abducted, tortured and brutally murdered. The execution of the chaplain “Solidarity” did not intimidate the parish priest Stanisław Kostka, who did not quit this peculiar prayer for Poland. Holy Masses with the intention of the welfare of the Homeland were and are present in many parishes of the country.

In 2025, according to the announcement of the Archdiocese of Warsaw and Prague, Holy Masses for Homeland in the parish of St.S. Kostka in Żoliborz are celebrated in the intention of unity of the nation.

– I must say, I am very afraid about the divisions in our country and our situation. I hear about the closure of the workplace, about the group layoffs. I am very much experiencing this, which is why I wanted them to return to Holy Mass for their homeland. I inactive remember our unity in those hard times... We should effort to unite if we love Poland, if we want something to change. Fr Jerzy gave his life so that we could live in a free country – stressed Katarzyna Soborak.

AG