Kongresy eucharystyczne diecezji częstochowskiej i ich znaczenie w życiu religijnym

Abstract

The article presents the beginning and development of the Eucharistic Congresses. They grew out of the ninetenth century piety in France. They were started by M.E. Tamisier, who organized the first international Eucharistic Congress in Lille in 1881. In Poland they were started by Cardinal A. Hlond. The first Congress took place in lnowrocław in 1927. Soon they were organized also in other dioceses. They took place in: Częstochowa (1928), Sosnowiec (1929), Wieluń (1931), Radomsko (1932), Dąbrowa Górnicza (1934), Kłobuck (1935) and Zawiercie (1939). These Congresses were of great importance for the young Częstochowa Diocese, erected in 1925 by Pius XI. In the model of the diocese, which Bishop T. Kubina sought in the first Christian community, the Eucharist played a great part as the factor that both united and integrated the young diocesan community. The Częstochowa Diocese, formed from a part of the Włocławek and a part of the Kielce Dioceses was much differentiated as regards the Church tradition and the economic situation. Owing to the complicated economic situation the reports presented at the Congresses spoke of social matters. The Congresses were an occasion to develop liturgy and homiletics. They were one of the greater pastoral achievements of Bishop T. Kubina.