Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present the genesis and the development of Salesian structures in Poland. Fundamental criteria are identified with which the Superiors of the Salesian Congregation set about re-organising them into Provinces. In our case, the application of these criteria was not always smooth and some times even controversial. The research makes it possible to point out the original structural link between the first Salesian works in Poland and those in Italy, something quite understandable since the number of Polish Salesians was insufficient to set up an administrative organisation to be managed by them on their own. In addition to the problem of numbers, there was also the geo-political situation, as a result of which the structures, of which the Polish Salesian houses formed a part, had an international dimension (even though the Polish Salesians were numerically the majority in that geographical area). Relatively quickly there was some involvement by Polish personnel in the management of the structures, but nonetheless set-backs which slowed down somewhat the delicate process of the transfer of government from Italian to Polish personnel were not lacking. Because of the numbers and the quality of the Polish Salesians there was a considerable Polish presence in the administration of the Salesian structures in other countries in the Central European area (for example in Austria, Germany, Hungary). An examination of the sources has led to the discovery of some events previously u nknown which accompanied the birth of the new structures in Central Europe, and also to confirm the effective contribution of various individuals and to show their influence in the decisions made. On the basis of the research one can affirm that a crucial point in the history of Salesian structures in Poland was undoubtedly the erection, in 1905, of the Austro-Hungarian Provice of the Guardian Angels with headquarters in Oświęcim. This could be considered the first Polish structure, of which the Province of Warsaw of St Stanislaus Kostka is the heir. With this event came the definitive and quite natural detachment from the Italian structures. Successive stages of the administrative reorganisation – that is the divisions in 1919, in 1933 and finally in 1979 – confirm the fruitful planting of the charism of Don Bosco in Polish soil.