„Częstochowski liturgista” – Mikołaj z Wilkowiecka o tajemnicy Ducha Świętego

Abstract

Mikołaj of Wilkowiecko is a 16th century Polish religious writer. The paper presents some of his works in which the Holy Spirit’s motif is emphasized. They are: the manuscript-autograph, written in Latin entitled Interpretatio Missae (at present in possession of the Jasna Góra Library), O Mszey Świętej opisanie [On the Holy Mass] – an old print of 1588 (cimelium in Czrtoryski Library) also Historyja o chwalebnym Zmartwychwstaniu Pańskim [The Story of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord] is the best known work of this author. The second of these – O Mszey Świętej opisanie, includes detailed scientific description of all the parts of the liturgy of the Mass. The treatise was intended for the use of priests and that is why it includes numerous biblical citations; extracts from the works of the Church Fathers are also to be found there. The form of the Polish text – O Mszey Świętey opisanie [On the Holy Mass] is simple: its contents are easily comprehensible, because this work was intended for the use of all the members of the Church. The fragments relating to the mystery of the Holy Spirit from both treaties are analyzed. In the second part an attempt is made to show the mystagogic function served by the mystery play Historyja o chwalebnym Zmartwychwstaniu Pańskim in the Polish Renaissance. Attention is paid to the fact that the motif of the Holy Spirit appearing in this drama is of key importance both for the construction of the mystery play and for understanding its message.