Matka Sprawiedliwości i Miłości Społecznej – aspekt historyczno-pastoralny

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Matka Sprawiedliwości i Miłości Społecznej – aspekt historyczno-pastoralny

Journal Title: Studia Salvatoriana Polonica - Year 2016, Vol 10, Issue

Abstract

The beginning of the parish of Piekary can be traced back to 1303, when a wooden church of St Bartholomew the Apostle was erected. We do not know when exactly the icon of Mary first appeared in the side nave of the church. Most probably the picture was taken from a wayside shrine. Historians agree that the icon was painted in the 15th century. It depicts the Mother of God with baby Jesus in her left hand. In her right hand Mary holds an apple – a symbol of Eve. Baby Jesus raises his right hand in the gesture of blessing, holding a book of Gospel in his left hand. When father Jakub Roczkowski, a native of Gliwice, became the rector of the parish, one of his initial decisions was to transpose the icon to the main altar. The event took place on 27 August, 1659. This is the date of the beginning of the Marian devotion in Piekary Śląskie. The religious and social aspect of the devotion of Our Lady of Piekary was influenced considerably by priests, especially Fr. Alojzy Ficek (1790-1862), who initiated and developed such aspects as: charitable, religious and moral, temperance, editorial, cultural and educational, missionary and pilgrimage ones. Marian devotion throughout the ages has been manifested in the titles ascribed to Our Lady of Piekary: Marvellous Mother, Mother of Mercy, Comfort of the afflicted, the Intercessor, Divine doctor, Virgin of Piekary, Refuge of sinners, the Silesian Landlady. The second half of the 20th century in Silesia saw not only a search for relevant examples of religious life for workers, but also a call for respecting their human and labour rights and shaping the rules of social policy on the foundation of love and justice. It was then that the currently most popular title was added to the traditional ones: Mother of Justice and Social Love. The Consent of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments was issued on 15 January, 1983. Today mass class pilgrimages to Piekary play an exceptional role in shaping of the religious and social life of the Upper Silesia. Therefore Piekary have become a symbolic centre of social Catholicism.

Authors and Affiliations

Bogdan Biela

Keywords

EP ID EP287524
DOI -
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