The Order-Making Mission of Kolumba Białecka (1838-1887) and the Spiritual Significance of Her Name

Abstract

The Dominican order was established by St. Dominic in 1216 for the defence of faith through teaching. It played an enormous role not only directly in the life of the Universal Church herself, but also in the general spiritual and intellectual development. The basic purpose of apostleship is the glory of God and the salvation of people. It is interesting to look at the history of the Dominica charisma in Poland, especially St. Dominic's spiritual daughter, the Venerable Mother Kolumba Białecka. This paper therefore deals with the history of Dominican sisters in Poland, shows Kolumba Białecka against this backdrop, and depicts her order-making mission. Then it focuses on the significance of her religious name „Kolumba,” and on Białecka's family home. Mother Kolumba Białecka endowed the Church with a kind of religious life that is fulfilled in the service to our neighbours through our perfection. This is our home initiative that stems from Polish spirituality and Polish needs, and at the same time it refers to the purest models of Dominican spirituality. The religious congregation founded by the Venerable Mother Kolumba Białecka has been effective not only in Poland, but it has been developing in various countries on four continents.