Pielgrzymowanie Górnoślązaków do grobu św. Jacka w Krakowie

Pilgrimages of Upper Silesia residents to the grave of St Hyacinth in Kraków

Summary: St. Hyacinth Odrowąż was a native of Upper Silesia, born in Kamień Śląski, near St. Ann's Mount. He was a descendant of the mighty Odrowąż family. His uncle Ivo Odrowąż was the bishop of Kraków. Hyacinth studied at foreign universities and was thoroughly educated in philosophy and theology. Having assumed the habit of Dominican monks at the hands of St. Dominic Guzman, he returned to Poland and then went further east - to Kiev in Ruthenia - to continue his evangelizing mission. Some historians believe that he might also have gone with his mission to Nordic countries. Exhausted with his missionary work, St. Hyacinth settled in the Kraków church and died here on 15 August 1257. After his death his fellow countrymen became aware that he was the true "light from Silesia" (Lux de Silesia), which radiated all over the European continent and beyond (his worship has also been known to Central America). St. Hyacinth was a true European. For the residents of Silesia, their pilgrimages to the grave of the saint have been opportunities to raise the awareness , rediscovering their dignity and the sense of belonging to the large family of Poles. Then they have also absorbed the idea of sainthood that may be pursued on earth ad instar of St. Hyacinth. Silesians' pilgrimages to the grave of St. Hyacinth have always integrated all pilgrims and promoted the irenic dimension among the pilgrims themselves and towards those whom they met on the paths of their lives.

Peregrinus Cracoviensis, 2007, z. 18, s. 149-166.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

ISSN 1425-1922

Pełny tekst (274 KB)