(ANS - Warsaw) - "Educating young people to be good Christians and honest citizens" was the title of the study conference which took place on 21 May 2015 in the Polish Parliament in Warsaw, to pay homage to St. John Bosco in the year of the Bicentenary of his birth. The Salesian Society has been working in Poland since 1892. This is the first time it has been able to present aspects of its contribution to the Christian and civil formation of thousands of young people, at the most prestigious level from a political and social point of view.

Fr Stanisław Zimniak, SDB

The event was organized by the "Circle of Students of parliamentary history" and the Polish section of the Salesian Historical Association. The meeting began with the reading of a message from Fr Tadeusz Rozmus, Regional Councillor for Central and Northern Europe. Satisfaction was expressed for this recognition granted to the founder of the Salesian Family. The Hon. Zbigniew Girzyński and Fr Jarosław Wąsowicz SDB (Director of the Archives of the Pila Province and teacher of church history) greeted the assembly on behalf of the organizers.

From different angles they noted the historical significance, from a political and religious point of view, of being able to pay homage in this place to one of the greatest and most effective Catholic educators of the nineteenth century, whose relevance for modern times is confirmed by its expansion throughout the world.

After the opening greetings five reports were presented, giving an overview of Don Bosco and the Salesian Society. The first report, presented by Fr. Michał Mejer SDB (Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University - Warsaw), focused on "The principles of pedagogy and spirituality of St. John Bosco."  The next was given by Fr Stanisław Wilk SDB (John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin). It dealt with the development of the work of the Salesians and of the FMA in Poland, highlighting the surprising and significant Salesian contribution to the development and consolidation of the middle and high school network in the Republic of Poland. This network was closed by the communist regime and revived in 1989 after the collapse of the atheist political system.

Fr Stanislaw Zimniak SDB (Salesian Historical Institute - Rome) spoke about some Polish Salesians who were distinguished not only for what they achieved but also for their spirit of fidelity to the charism of the Founder and their contribution at international level. Deputy Zbigniew Girzyński (Nicholas Kopernik University - Toruń) gave a talk entitled “Salesians in the College of Cardinals" and revealed the astonishing number of Salesian Cardinals - despite the "young age" of the Congregation.  A Cardinal is at the most prestigious and most responsible level in the life of the Catholic Church, at the service of the Church in close cooperation with the Pope.

The final talk entitled "Salesian Education in Poland", was given by Fr. Stefan Makuracki SDB (Director of the Provincial Centre for Schools and Youth Centres, Piła).  He outlined the current state of the Salesian school network at all levels, testifying with numerous statistics to the high quality of teaching and training provided in Salesian schools, which are praised by the civil authorities. He also stressed the good number of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

After a guided tour of the Parliament, this historic event was concluded in the chapel of parliamentarians, with a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the gift of Don Bosco and for all that the Salesian Family has been able to achieve, driven by his love for youth. A prayer was said for the beatification of one of the most famous Salesians, the Servant of God, Cardinal Augustus Hlond, Primate of Poland, and also a leading contributor to Salesian work in Central Europe.

Published 29/05/2015