Wydawnictwo Biały Kruk: A large success of the publishing home on the FENIKS 2025 Gala!
date:15 October 2025 Editor: Anna
On Saturday, 11 October, the Polish Military Department in Warsaw held a gala of awards of the FENIKS Catholic Publishers Association, accompanying the XXX Fair of Catholic Publishers.
The evening had both an elevated and very warm character – on the 1 hand a prayerful memory of peace and freedom, on the another hand a feast of word, book and authors. The White Raven Publishing home has become the focus of attention. We proudly share the news that the authors of the White Raven publishing home have been honored with prestigious awards!
Top award – Phoenix Gold (Main Prize) – received Fr. Prof. Waldemar Chrostowski, closely associated with the White Raven as the author for years – specified bestsellers as “The Decalogue”, “Our Father” or “Women in the Holy Scriptures” were published in the Krakow publication. The Chapter emphasized the "unordinary achievements of life, science, authorship and translation" of Fr. Prof. Chrostowski, who creates a "permanent foundation for contemporary Polish theology, discipline and Catholic formation". Not only was the awesome collection of Bible literature appreciated, but besides the tireless closeness of the Scriptures to a broad group of believers and clergymen – through books, articles, comments and lectures.
The second strong accent for White Raven was the main prize in the category “Publicism / spiritual Eseistics” for the book Prof. Wojciech Roszkowski "Ungodliness, panic and propaganda. False prophecy of Marxism”. The justification sounded like a manifesto of intellectual courage: the publication appears to be an expression of unbreakable opposition to the ideology behind a series of major disasters of modern civilization. The author – precisely and without a discount tariff – exposes the thought void behind Marxism, documenting the indoctrination tools and describing their long-term impact on modern times.
The Chapter besides honored White Raven titles with distinctions.
“The Holy Prophet. Karol Wojtyła – John Paul II” by Jolanta Sosnowska was appreciated for the innovative view of the biography of Pope Pole as stories of his prophetic mission – the book was indicated as a spiritual signpost and a evidence of holiness.
“My Forbidden Songs” by Jan Pietrzak was called a image of the creator whose achievements for decades served the conflict for freedom of speech and national spirit, becoming a permanent part of Polish culture of the 20th and 21st centuries.
"The Martyr for religion and Solidarity. Biography illustrated by Blessed Fr Jerzy Popiełuszko" Jolanta Sosnowska was awarded for the moving image of the priest of unbreakable religion and courage – the publication was indicated as a current moral symbol, able to inspire perseverance in fact and justice.
The atmosphere of the gala was beautifully outlined by the words of the hierarchs present in the cathedral. Bishop Wiesław Lechowicz, the field bishop, recalled the spiritual importance of the place and the function of literature: he is to “stand for security, peace and freedom” – not only in the national but besides in the individual dimension – and at the same time encourage good and defend truth. Bishop Michał Janoch pointed out the “service of the word” in a planet flooded with a stream of messages – the work of the creators and publishers was compared to the service of the priestly lynx, due to the fact that it leads to the Word that became the Body.
The scale of this year's edition of FENIKS was impressive, and awards and distinctions – very many. It is worth mentioning just a fewer of them, complementing the image of the environment, which together cares about the quality of the word:
Feniks peculiar – Friend of Readers: Andrzej Mardyła, owner of AA Publishing House.
Category "Literary" – Award: Joaquín Navarro-Valls, "My Years With John Paul II. Private records of Vatican press spokesperson 1984–2006”, Unity Publishing House.
Award for: Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, “Katolicki – which is what? actual and False Reform”, The Publishing home of Tarnów Diocese BIBLOS.
Award: Kinga Rybaryczyk, “All Beautiful. What do Mary’s images say about her alone? A book (not only) for children.”
For the White Raven it was a peculiar night: Feniks Złoty for Fr. Prof. Waldemar Chrostowski, the main award for Prof. Wojciech Roszkowski and 3 awards confirmed that our program line – combining editorial beauty with strength of content – goes to readers and the jury. It is besides a beautiful sign of the unity of authors, editors and the full team, who believe that a good book truly “defends the truth” and “enhances the good”.
The Warsaw FENIKS 2025 gala will go to our chronicles as an evening of gratitude: for the Authors, Readers and all who, as Bishop Janoch reminded, service the Word.
Beata Marshal
expert on promotion and cooperation with the media
