https://doi.org/10.21697/wsp.2017.12.2.35.03
In his work for sobriety undertaken in Warsaw before the outbreak of the January Uprising in 1863, Fr. Karol Mikoszewski (1832–1886) repeatedly referred to the Divine Revelation and the Teachings of the Church of his times. He stresses the dignity of man created by God in the context of sobriety. He reminds the importance of patriotism, as staying sober is the key to the national renewal in the area of morality, economy and culture. By rejecting drunkenness, one can restore peace and love in the family and in consequence raise and educate children adequately. The author stresses the passing away of human life and reminds that it aims for eternity but can also become a path towards damnation. He points at Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior who accepted the human nature and sacrificed Himself on the cross. He also reminds that Mary is the Patron of sobriety and a model of fidelity to God’s law. She is also the Queen of Poland whom we ask for the strength to persevere. As the Fr. Mikoszewski is conscious of human limits, he commences and ends each sermon with a prayer. Together with the congregation he asks for the intercession Our Lady. His sermons reveal his awareness of the problems and concerns of the inhabitants of Warsaw. He warns against the danger of drunkenness which is usually a public sin and is connected to encouraging or forcing others to drink. He considers his activity to be a follow up of the actions of the Irish monk Theobald Mathew, thanks to whom a wide abstinence movement spread in nineteenth Europe and America. Unfortunately, the pro-sobriety activity of Fr. Mikoszewski lasted for a short time and was interrupted.
Download files
Citation rules
Cited by / Share
English
Język Polski