The Patron Saint from Cracow on the Red River

Abstract

The first Polish settlers arrived on the Red River in Manitoba in 1817. They had been former soldiers of the Napoleonic Army. Yet, bigger Polish settlements were set up as late as the end of the 19th century. They were cared for by Father Leopold A. Klawiter, and then by two brothers, both Oblates, Fathers Jan and Wojciech Kulawy who set up the first Polish parish under the invocation of Holy Spirit. In 1917 another Polish parish was founded in Winnipeg. It was dedicated to St. John Kanty, a Professor of Jagiellonian University. Several Polish societies were organized including St. John Kanty’s Society of Mutual Help (Towarzystwo Wzajemnej Pomocy św. Jana Kaniego) which is still active. It has rendered immense services to the cause of cultivating Polish culture among the Canadians of Polish origin in Winnipeg, Manitoba.