Udział przewodników pielgrzymkowych -"śpiewoków" w fenomenie pątniczym XIX i XX w. na przykładzie Góry Świętej Anny

Participation of pilgrimage leaders - śpiewoki (singers) in the pilgrimage phenomenon of the 19th and 20th c. - the case of St. Anne Mt

Summary: Śpiewocy - leaders of pilgrimages were recruited from among Silesian families that were considered to hold high moral standards. They were either appointed by local parish priests or inherited the office from their parents. Their tasks included signing the "Hours", saying the Rosary, praying for the dead, and singing for the glory of the Mother of God. They also led prayers over a dead person's body at their home during an evening wake. The singer's role in a pilgrimage included the preparatory work for the pilgrimage. Before the event a singer exchanged letters with guardians and parish priests from parishes located along the pilgrimage route. At the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century, religious periodicals encouraged people to undertake pilgrimages. One such periodical was Katolik. Upon their arrival at the holy site, the singer represented the pilgrims at a welcome ceremony and saw to it that the pilgrimage scenario was duly followed. In addition to their regular function on St. Anne Mt, singers also instructed novice pilgrims before they entered the sanctuary, telling them about the significance of the holy site and the meaning of a pilgrimage as such. They also reminded the pilgrims that they should have appropriate motivation for undertaking a pilgrimage and that they should receive sacraments when at a sacred site. Frequently a singer would also have Nicodemus talks with pilgrims who were experiencing various problems in their lives and in this way led the pilgrims to holy sacraments. The "singer" was the soul of the pilgrimage, being responsible for its organisation, but above all for the religious experience it offered. In a way he played the role of a leader of pilgrims on their way to the holy site and kept their spirits up with his instructive speeches. On the Paths of Kalwaria, singers were more important than the priest or monks. They were people of authority among the pilgrims. Their demeanor was simultaneously full of pride and humility. As they regularly came to Kalwaria for many years, they knew almost every stone, every path and tree along the way. They were familiar with the furnishing of every chapel. They understood the local people they addressed better than many priests. They could better understand their devotion and spiritual needs. Holding the office of a "singer" was dictated by their sense of duty and responsibility for pilgrimage traditions which were passed down by their predecessors. They felt responsible for educating their successors, which is stressed by those "signers" who are still alive today.

Peregrinus Cracoviensis, 2008, z. 19, s. 5-19.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

ISSN 1425-1922

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