Abstract

Centenary of the presence of the Salesians in Poland and an opportunity to take a look at the missionary work of the Polish Salesians. This theme has already been treated by Fr Stanisław Kosiński in the book published on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Salesian presence in Poland in 1974, as also by Fr Franciszek Socha in the book: Idąc tedy nauczajcie, published in occasion of the centenary of the Salesian missions in 1976. In 1969 Fr Józef Nowacki under the gnida by Fr Jan Krawiec wrote a work entitled: Polish Salesians on mission in the years 1889-1968. This article is a continuation. From 1879 (the departure of the first Polish Salesian on mission) until 1997, they are 513 Polish confreres left for 50 Third World countries. Still adding those who work among Polish emigrants in Europe and the USA the number could increase considerably\ As regards the number of confreres sent on mission, Poland is in third place place, after Italy and Spain. Among the Polish Salesian missionaries, 184 have already died. Every year 167 missionaries work in mission land. Among the Polish missionaries Fr R. Komorek and the candidate at the altar. Don Boryczka in the Zambia and Fr Weder in the Special Circumscription - Eastern Europe are currently Provincials. Some missionaries have been masters of novices, provincial economists, directors of houses Salesians, university professors, teachers in our schools, builders of churches and schools, mold carried out their pastoral service in the particular Churches carrying on their responsibilities at the diocesan level. Some have received honorary citizenship in the countries where they worked. Many missionaries have described their work in letters as well as books. But all with their life and work they have written a stupendous page in the book of Salesian missions.