Way of My Cross

by Popieluszko and Jerzy Popieluszko

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 089526806X
• ISBN13: 9780895268068
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Gateway Editions
• Length: 267 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Polish Catholic Priest, Dissenter, and Martyr

Father Jerzy Popieluszko (1947-1984)was an obscure Catholic priest who emerged from obscurity to a lightening rod for the Polish Solidarity Movement during the 1980s. This book titled THE WAY OF MY CROSS is a collection of Masses and homilies that Father Jerzy Popielusko (FJP for the sake of convenience)and other Polish Catholic priests delivered during a turbulent time in recent Polish History. FJP was assigned as chaplain to Poland's largest steel mill in Warsaw. FJP celebrated Mass in protest of the Communist regime that was trying to stifle Polish nationalism, Catholicism, Polish self respect, etc. Unlike many Eastern European countries, Polish Catholics filled the parish Catholic churches in spite of the oppression of religion in Soviet controlled areas of Eastern Europe. One could argue the Catholic Faith was the one institution that united the Polish people. The homilies and Masses edited in this book were celebrated at a time of Pope John Paul II's vist to Poland (1981) and an attempted assassination in 1981 of Pope John Paul II (1920-2009). FJP's fellow priests often delivered blistering sermons re the oppression of the Polish Communist Party and Polish Communist government officials. While none of the homilies urged violence against Communist officials, these homilies, most of which were delivered by FJP, clearly condemned oppression and violations of civil liberties. One could argue that some of these sermons were not historically accurate,but these homilies were delivered to encourage Polish Catholics to remain loyal to the Faith and to continue the exercise of freedom of religion in spite of political efforts to stifle such loyalty to the Catholic Faith. One could make the case the Catholic Mass kept Polish Catholics united at a time when the Polish were governed by what they viewed as a foreign government determined to destroy the soul of Poland. FJP and his fellow Catholic clergy invoked the names of Polish saints to inspire Polish Catholics. Sts. Stanislaus, Maximilian, etc. were often used as examples of historical Polish heroes who should be emulated. The homilies were repeated appeals for Polish determination to remain loyal to political and religious concepts that defined the Polish as part of historical and religious concepts that were Poland. FJP also reminded parishoners of the Polish revolts vs. foreign domination (mostly Imperial Russian)in 1830,1846, and 1863. FJP also reminded his parishoners that the cultural and political memories did not die just because of foreign conquest and domination. FJP and his fellow priests celebrated Mass and delivered this homilies the last Sunday of each month from 1981 to 1984 when FJP was arrested and martyred. Polish Catholics circulated FJP's sermons and prayers which quickly became popular protests not only in Poland but also in Eastern Europe. On October 19, 1984, FJP and his driver were kidnapped and arrested. The driver escaped, but FJP was beaten and put to death witho