WKŁAD ZGROMADZENIA KSIĘŻY MISJONARZY W FORMACJĘ DUCHOWIEŃSTWA DIECEZJALNEGO W POLSCE W LATACH 1675-1864
The Contribution of the Vincentian Missionary Priest Society in the Formation of Diocesan Clergy in Poland in the Years 1675-1864

Summary/Abstract: The goal of the article is to present the contribution of the Vincentian Missionary Priest Society in the formation of diocesan clergy in Poland in the years 1675-1864. The missionaries of St. Vincent de Paul came to Poland in 1651 at the request of the Queen of Poland Marie Louise Gonzaga. The founder of this society hoped that in sending them to this new post, they would also soon be able to open a missionary seminary in Poland. During the lifetime of St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) this did not occur. The missionaries opened their first seminary in Warsaw in 1675. In subsequent years, bishops entrusted further seminaries to them. The missionaries had under their supervision a total of 25 diocesan seminaries on the territory of 17 dioceses in the years 1675-1865. Great emphasis was placed on spiritual exercises in these seminaries, which primarily included completing yearly retreats. Their religious practices recommended services on the 1st Fridays and 1st Saturdays of the month as well as a day of recollection each month and repeating daily reflections. A very important element in the missionary system of formation was also the daily program designed and discussed during the general conventions. Further on in the article, the author discusses the program of studies, pointing out the subjects taught in the seminaries. Next, the textbooks which the lecturers used for education purposes are described. Summarizing, the author states that missionaries from the second half of the 18th century became the main educators and teachers of diocesan clergy. In the opinion of many bishops, it was generally believed that these Missionaries as well as the communists better prepared priests for practical pastoral ministry than the Jesuits.

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