Abstract

Theme II: „Blessings in the Polish religious tradition” . Blessings from the Middle Ages and consecrations are the most creative part of the liturgy. After the baptism of Poland in 996 BC, they are part of the local liturgical books, that is: missals, pontificals and rituals. The pontifical of
Kraków from the 11th century knows 39 formulas, the Płock pontifical from the 12th century. 78, but the agenda of
Bishop Henry I of Wrocław (+ 1319), contains 36. Blessings detached from the Eucharist they underline the element of supplication and blessing of material things, dedicated to spiritual good and corporal. These purposes of blessings in sec. XVI reject the reformers: Nicolao Rej, Stanislao Lutomirski or Martino Krowicki, saying that we are dealing with superstitions, witchcraft, etc. II number of blessings limits the Roman ritual itself since 1614 and also the Polish ritual since 1631 which is based on this. The blessings in the appendix of this ritual, from the Krakow edition from 1892 y., arrive at. 196 formulas. In the age of the Enlightenment the bishops recommended serving themselves of the rituals already promulgated. In the 19th century, one sees in some blessings, „the true witnesses of life home". „De benedictions” in Polish since 1994, contains in the sixth part of book 42 blessing formulas, found in Polish rituals. Among these 20 touch year liturgical and the cult of saints, 5 pertain to people, 7 others affect the work and life of the faithful, 4 the things connected with the religious life and two are used for the blessing of the table in the Nativity of the Lord and it seems Easter. The blessings associated with the domestic liturgy and for workers are missing Catholic apostolate.