Pielgrzymowanie Polaków z Zaolzia jako przejaw życia religijnego mniejszości polskiej w Czechach

Pilgrimages from Zaolzie as a Religious Manifestation of the Polish Ethnic Minority in the Czech Republic

Summary: Czech citizens of Polish nationality are the largest group of Poles in the Czech Republic. According to the latest demographic register, their number is approximately 38 600. Within this group the largest group of Poles with Czech citizenship are Zaolzians - that is Cieszyn Silesia inhabitants, who remained on the Czech side in 1920 after its division. What differentiates Poles from Zaolzie and the Polish ethnic minority in the Czech Republic in general is their attachment to Christian tradition and religiosity.
Pilgrimage, as an external sing of religious engagement and activity among Polish ethnic minority in the Czech Republic, has started its period of regeneration in the beginning of 1990's. This very phenomenon deserves particular attention due to its exceptionality in the context of religious situation of contemporary Czech state.
The first pilgrimage from Zaolzie to Jasna Góra organized in 1991 was attended by 96 people, the second 148. In 2004 the pilgrimage initiative engaged as many as 370 people, age 3 to 79. Pilgrimage on foot by the Poles from Zaolzie, organized every July, is the only pilgrimage of that kind from the Czech Republic to Jasna Góra. Pilgrims going to Częstochowa by bus have the opportunity to visit other sanctuaries in Poland, such as Łagiewniki in Kraków, Piekary Śląskie, Gidle, Rychwaład, Szczyrk, St. Anna Mount.
Another reactivated pilgrimage route from Czech Cieszyn is Our Lady Sanctuary in Frydek-Mistek, known as "Silesian Lourdes" in Silesia and Morawy. Religious event, common for Catholics of Polish and Czech Cieszyn are annual pardon celebrations to honor St. Melchior Grodziecki, martyr coming from Cieszyn.
As supplement to this Picture of Poles' pilgrimage life in Zaolzie there are organized group tours from Czech Cieszyn, Jabłonków i Karwiny - initiated in the 1990's - to famous pilgrimage destinations such as Rome, Assis, Fatima, Lourdes or the Holy Land.

Peregrinus Cracoviensis, 2005, z.16, s. 149-157.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

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