Published: 2019-02-12

The Pilgrimage of Silesians to Rome and Viterbo in 1967. On the path of Polish-German reconciliation

Piotr Górecki
Studia Oecumenica
Section: Dialogi ekumeniczne i procesy integracyjne
DOI https://doi.org/10.25167/SOe/18/2018/349-366

Abstract

From the 11th to 21st May, 1967 a group of 641 German Silesians went on the pilgrimage to Rome and Viterbo. Their aim was to share thanksgiving for the gift of the canonization of Saint Hedwig, which was declared by Pope Clement IV in Viterbo in 1267. In such a way, the presence of Silesians in the public space was manifested publicly. In Rome and Viterbo, they prayed for Silesian homeland and Silesian families, who were divided by the political and national issues, and finally by the Iron Curtain. The main thanksgiving ceremonies took place in the cathedral of Viterbo. In addition, they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Silesian unit of Maltese group foundation, whose patroness is St. Hedwig. It has gathered in their ranks the members of the major Silesian aristocracy. The participation of pilgrims in the general audience with Pope Paul VI became an impulse for greater involvement of the German Silesians in the process of forgiveness and reconciliation. The article outlines the post-war problem of the mass emigration of Silesians, forced to leave their homeland after 1945. It also points to the important initiatives of Silesian Catholic organizations that brought spiritual and material help to the exiles and integrated them into the new environment of life. The author presents the history of preparations for the great pilgrimage of 1967, as well as its course and the main characters of its organizers. Finally, he points to the spiritual fruits of the pilgrimage, which have become an important contributor on the path of Polish-German reconciliation.

Keywords:

Silesians in Germany, the Pilgrimage of Salesians to Viterbo, Polish-German reconciliation, Heimatwerk Schlesischer Katholiken (Silesian Catholic Work), St. Hedwig’s Year 1967

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Górecki, P. (2019). The Pilgrimage of Silesians to Rome and Viterbo in 1967. On the path of Polish-German reconciliation. Studia Oecumenica, 18, 349–366. https://doi.org/10.25167/SOe/18/2018/349-366

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