The celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s passing have begun in Rome with a Holy Mass for the Homeland and a concert of Passion songs performed by the Kraków-based vocal ensemble OCTAVA Ensemble. The event, held at the Polish Church of St. Stanislaus B.M., was attended by former Prime Minister Hanna Suchocka, Polish diplomats, and numerous members of the Polish diaspora.
A Rich Program of Commemorations
The Mass for the Homeland is celebrated every third Sunday of the month at the Polish Church of St. Stanislaus in Rome, the oldest pastoral center for Polish emigrants. This month, it coincided with the beginning of a rich program of commemorative events organized by the Polish Pastoral Center in Rome in collaboration with various institutions.
During the Mass, Father Tomasz Jarosz, the administrator of St. Stanislaus Church, highlighted that these Masses are an opportunity to reflect on the “ethical grammar of the Church’s social teaching.” After previous discussions on solidarity and personalism, this time, he invited the congregation to briefly consider the principle of subsidiarity, introduced into Catholic social teaching by Pope Pius XI.
Fr. Jarosz emphasized that for a state to uphold this principle, proper education and formation of its citizens are essential. “Taking responsibility [for our homeland], we should care for our own education and support the education of younger generations, so that together we can properly face challenges and contribute to the common good,” he said. He also encouraged prayers for Poland, so that “differences within the nation may always be overcome through dialogue based on truth, integrity, and mutual respect.”
“A Great Legacy of Thought and Love for the Homeland”
The Passion song concert, titled Passus et Resurrexit, performed by the OCTAVA Ensemble under the direction of Zygmunt Magiera, was preceded by reflections on the legacy of St. John Paul II, shared by the event’s guests. The evening’s host, Father Paweł Ptasznik, reminded attendees that the Polish Pope left his compatriots “a great legacy of thought and love for the homeland,” repeatedly reminding them of their responsibility for the country’s future. “I am glad that we can pause today and together thank God for everything we receive from Him,” he said.
Poland’s ambassador to the Holy See, Adam Kwiatkowski, also noted that gatherings like this at the Polish church in Rome are, in a way, a fulfillment of John Paul II’s testament. He emphasized that, 20 years later, it is important to return to the Pope’s teachings and commitments and to look with gratitude at what has been achieved. “When this great Pole became Pope, our country could not have an official presence by his side. There was no Polish embassy to the Holy See. But today, there is one, proudly flying the white-and-red flag. For this, too, we should be grateful to St. John Paul II,” he stressed.
The Passion song concert, hosted by Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi, was organized in collaboration with the Institute for Intercultural Dialogue in Kraków. During the event, it was announced that Fr. Tomasz Jarosz had been appointed as a member of the institute’s program council.