Poloniae Annalibus
Encyclopedia
Poloniae Annalibus is an apostolic letter of Pope Pius XII
commemorating the seven hundredth anniversary of the canonization of Saint Stanislaw AAS and encouraging the Polish
episcopate to be united and strong in face of persecution
.
According to the letter, Saint Stanislaw was an exemplar of steadfastness in his time and a model for our time. As bishop
of Krakow
, he was a model for piety, social engagement and courage. He dared to tell King Boleslaw his faults and sin in his face. He was tortures as a result but his mind did not bend. The Krakow faithful were so enraged over this sacrilege, that they forced the king to abdicate. He went into exile for the rest of his life.
The bishops of Poland display the same fervour and the same love as the faithful in those days. Indeed their trials are very comparable to those of Saint Stanislaw. A night of terror has descended over faithful Poland
. But in the darkness of night shine the stars of Polish
loyalty
in such a way, that the whole world watches in admiration. Many Poles lost everything, because they defended their faith. Many lost their lives. Many bishops, priests and Religious were incarcerated, sent to Siberia
, robbed of all rights, tortured, maligned and falsely accused of all things, for one reason only: They were messengers of Christ. Average and dispirited persons cannot understand this, but eternal honour is certain all those, who gave everything. They are the true successors of Saint Stanislaw. His virtues continue to flourish among the Polish people. It may take time, but the powerful blessings of all these sacrifices will later bear rich fruit.
Pope Pius XII reviews Polish history in order to show how Polish loyalty and faith, following the example of Stanislaw, was always victorious. Saint Stanislaw this is not only a saint of virtue but of justice as well. And the Poles, who were divided at the time unified around the relics of the great saint. He admonishes the episcopate to maintain the same unity.
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
commemorating the seven hundredth anniversary of the canonization of Saint Stanislaw AAS and encouraging the Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
episcopate to be united and strong in face of persecution
Persecution
Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms. The inflicting of suffering, harassment, isolation,...
.
According to the letter, Saint Stanislaw was an exemplar of steadfastness in his time and a model for our time. As bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Krakow
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, he was a model for piety, social engagement and courage. He dared to tell King Boleslaw his faults and sin in his face. He was tortures as a result but his mind did not bend. The Krakow faithful were so enraged over this sacrilege, that they forced the king to abdicate. He went into exile for the rest of his life.
The bishops of Poland display the same fervour and the same love as the faithful in those days. Indeed their trials are very comparable to those of Saint Stanislaw. A night of terror has descended over faithful Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. But in the darkness of night shine the stars of Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
loyalty
Loyalty
Loyalty is faithfulness or a devotion to a person, country, group, or cause There are many aspects to...
in such a way, that the whole world watches in admiration. Many Poles lost everything, because they defended their faith. Many lost their lives. Many bishops, priests and Religious were incarcerated, sent to Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
, robbed of all rights, tortured, maligned and falsely accused of all things, for one reason only: They were messengers of Christ. Average and dispirited persons cannot understand this, but eternal honour is certain all those, who gave everything. They are the true successors of Saint Stanislaw. His virtues continue to flourish among the Polish people. It may take time, but the powerful blessings of all these sacrifices will later bear rich fruit.
Pope Pius XII reviews Polish history in order to show how Polish loyalty and faith, following the example of Stanislaw, was always victorious. Saint Stanislaw this is not only a saint of virtue but of justice as well. And the Poles, who were divided at the time unified around the relics of the great saint. He admonishes the episcopate to maintain the same unity.
Quotations
- May your confidence be stronger than granite. May your love of enemies never weaken because of injustices. May your hopes shine brighter then the sun, even if everything seems to fall apart. Your great sacrifices will bear fruit
- Nobody loves the esteemed mother of God more than you do. May the Holy Mother of God gracefully look towards all Polish people, who seek her protection. May she be your protection and change into joy, what today appears as deep concern.