Kaznodziejstwo w Polsce średniowiecznej w świetle ustawodawstwa synodalnego

Abstract

Preaching should be numbered among the most important pastorate activities. This is the reason why it should be discussed against the background of the way pastorate was understood in the given period. In the Middle Ages pastorate was treated as a way of ruling – directing other people, and as holding office. Because of this, instructions on this subject were given basically in legal documents, among others in synodal statutes. In them, starting with legate statutes of the 13th century, we find information concerning homilies and a lot of instructions for pastors. From these sources the picture appears of preaching in an average Polish parish; mainly teaching the faithful the rudiments of the faith (rudimenta fidei). The parish priest was responsible for the teaching. His care was the testimony to the standard of the homilies. The present article is a contribution and encouragement to further research in this domain.