Z życia religijnego Cyganów w diecezji tarnowskiej

Abstract

The homeland of Gypsies is India. From there they came to Europe. In Poland Gypsies were known already in fourteenth (14th) century. It is their habit to adapt to the religion of the country where they live. There are two tribes of Gypsies on the Tarnów Diocese area: one of them is “upland-tribe” or Carpathians-tribe the other one is “wandering” tribe. There are a large number of concentration of them in different places in Tarnów Diocese. In the past they used to hold Hinduism belief. The relicts of that religion are found in their present lingual terminology. Progressively’ they accepted Catholicism particulary because of the dwelling in Catholic countries. Their attitude towards the Catholicism is rather passive, effective and striking. Gypsies have their own customs connected with some particular ceremonies like for example: marriage, baptism, etc. At present, more frequently, they are convinced that there should be the priest among them during their religious ceremonies. In Tarnów Diocese the parish-priests tried to expand Gipsy ministry in those parishes where Gypsies lived. Such trials took place in Nowy Sącz, Szczurowa and other places. On a large scale the cure of Gypsies souls coordinates young Jesuit – Father Edward Wesołek. Among uiflerent ways of his ministry among Gypsies, Father Wesołek organizes all-Polish pilgrimages to Our Lady of Częstochowa. Although this is the new stage in the religious life of Gypsies in Poland and Tarnów Diocese but it has not strong effect on their minds, till now.