This morning, the Holy See Press Centre published the text of a Message which the Holy Father, Pope Francis has sent to His Excellency, Stanisław Gądecki, Archbishop of Poznań (Poland), President of the Polish Episcopal Conference, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Poland's independence, which will be celebrated tomorrow (11 November), at the end of the First World War.
To my Venerable Brother
His Excellency, Stanisław Gądecki
Archbishop of Poznań
President of the Polish Episcopal Conference
One hundred years ago, on 11 November, Poland regained independence. With the end of World War I the period of Russian, Prussian and Austrian occupation of your nation ended; a period which, before the partition, had contributed to the development of the history of Christian Europe with all the riches of its own noble culture and spirituality. The reconquest of sovereignty was paid for by the sacrifice of many sons of Poland, who were ready to offer their personal freedom, their possessions, and even their lives for their lost homeland. The quest for freedom was based on the hope derived from a profound faith in God's help, the one who is the Lord of the history of persons and nations. This faith was also a support when, once independence was regained, unity had to be sought in spite of differences, in order to rebuild the country and defend its borders (Saint John Paul II, 11 November 1998).
Together with the Church in Poland and all Poles, I thank God who has supported the succeeding generations with his grace and his power, and allowed them a hundred years ago to fulfill their hope of freedom and not to lose it, despite the further painful historical experiences related to the Second World War, the Nazi occupation and the communist regime.
Repeating once again the prayer of Saint John Paul II, an exceptional witness of this past century, I ask God for the grace of faith, hope and love for all Poles, so that, in unity and peace, they may make good use of such a precious gift of freedom. May the protection of Mary, Queen of Poland at Jasna Góra, always accompany your country and all Poles. May Divine Providence grant peace and prosperity to the Polish nation now and in the future. May God's blessing always be with you.
From the Vatican
4 November 2018
Francis
Message of His Holiness, Pope Francis
To my Venerable Brother
His Excellency, Stanisław Gądecki
Archbishop of Poznań
President of the Polish Episcopal Conference
One hundred years ago, on 11 November, Poland regained independence. With the end of World War I the period of Russian, Prussian and Austrian occupation of your nation ended; a period which, before the partition, had contributed to the development of the history of Christian Europe with all the riches of its own noble culture and spirituality. The reconquest of sovereignty was paid for by the sacrifice of many sons of Poland, who were ready to offer their personal freedom, their possessions, and even their lives for their lost homeland. The quest for freedom was based on the hope derived from a profound faith in God's help, the one who is the Lord of the history of persons and nations. This faith was also a support when, once independence was regained, unity had to be sought in spite of differences, in order to rebuild the country and defend its borders (Saint John Paul II, 11 November 1998).
Together with the Church in Poland and all Poles, I thank God who has supported the succeeding generations with his grace and his power, and allowed them a hundred years ago to fulfill their hope of freedom and not to lose it, despite the further painful historical experiences related to the Second World War, the Nazi occupation and the communist regime.
Repeating once again the prayer of Saint John Paul II, an exceptional witness of this past century, I ask God for the grace of faith, hope and love for all Poles, so that, in unity and peace, they may make good use of such a precious gift of freedom. May the protection of Mary, Queen of Poland at Jasna Góra, always accompany your country and all Poles. May Divine Providence grant peace and prosperity to the Polish nation now and in the future. May God's blessing always be with you.
From the Vatican
4 November 2018
Francis
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