The Influence of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński on the Spiritual Pedagogy of the Nation

Abstract

The article aims to present the unique work of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, the Primate of the Millennium. A scholarly reflection on this topic was prompted by the fortieth anniversary of his death and his beatification on 12 September 2021. The modern history of Poland sees him as a prudent pastor of souls and teacher, a sensitive conciliar theologian, original social activist, exceptional writer, and relentless defender of the Catholic Church, which he headed as Primate of Poland. Wyszyński developed and indefatigably implemented Marian pedagogy of the nation, which became a category, method and motive of pastoral ministry in the time of communist enslavement, enabling the attainment of not only religious goals but also social, political, and cultural ones. On his initiative, the idea of commencing the Great Millennium Novena and committing the nation to the motherly slavery to Mary was developed, and the idea of Visitation of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Her image in all parishes in Poland. Ultimately, this strategy led to the purging of the nation’s memory of atheistic indoctrination and the re-establishment of the spiritual bond with the Christian tradition of Poland. His constant inspirations gave rise to a new programme of pastoral and catechetical and preaching work, which was a great success. And although Cardinal Wyszynski has been absent from the Polish socioreligious space for forty years now, his message can inspire greater concern for the religious pedagogy of the nation, since his methodological instruments are still available.