Poles in Luxembourg Immigration and Pastoral Care in the 20th Century

Abstract

The present paper deals with the history of Polonia in Luxembourg in the 20^th century. First, the history of the Great Duchy of Luxembourg and its economic development were outlined. Then the emigrations of Polish citizens, their pastoral care, educational and organisational activities were shown.

The Polish people in Luxembourg immigrated before the First World War. In the inter-war period there were, respective of the labour market, between several hundred to several thousand Polish citizens. The largest communities of Polish workers were established in the southern part of the Duchy with developed industry, mainly in Esch-sur-Alzette and the surrounding. They were employed in steelworks, mining, building, and chemical industry. Some of them worked in the northern agricultural regions. After the Second World War the Polish people in Luxembourg numbered ca. 1000-2000.

Most of the Polish emigrants were Roman-Catholic. Initially, Polish priests provided pastoral care. They came to Polish communities from time to time. From the legal point of view, the territory of Luxembourg was subordinate to the Polish Catholic Mission in Belgium, the Mission established by Polish Primate Cardinal August Hlond (by virtue of the decree of 17^th April 1930 in agreement with the Polish Catholic Mission in Paris. Its first rector was Rev. Hilary Majkowski who lived in Esch-sur-Alzette at St. Joseph's church. Due to a great economic crisis the Mission declined in the following year. Pastoral ministry was again provided by the priests from France. From April 1948 the Oblates from the Polish Catholic Mission in Belgium began to work, first occasionally and then regularly, among the Polish people in Luxembourg. Until 1995 they relied on the kind help of the priests from Luxembourg who made the places cult available. St. Henry's church in Luxembourg was given to the Polish community from 1995 onwards. The headquarters of the Polish Catholic Mission were transferred there. In 2005 the Poles could participate in the Polish Holy Masses in three places: Luxembourg (St. Henry's church), Esch-sur-Alzette (the chapel of the Italian Catholic Mission), and Ingeldorf near Diekirch (St. Celsius's church).