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Nasza Przeszłość

Vol. 131 (2019): Nasza Przeszłość

Articles

Woman of independence – servant of God Mother Kazimiera Gruszczyńska, the foundress of The Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Suffering (1848-1927)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.2019.131.73-102  [Google Scholar]
Published: 2019-06-30

Abstract

Kazimiera Gruszczyńska was born in 1848 in Kozienice. Raised in the spirit of Catholic and patriotic values, she was open to other people and sensitive to their needs. From an early age, she wanted to devote her life to God. Initially, at the advice of her confessor, she considered becoming a Sister of Charity, but she did not join the Congregation. In further search for the way of life, in June 1875, she went to Zakroczym. Under the direction of Father Honorat Koźmiński, she made a week-long retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. After completing the retreat, she joined the Congregation of the Messengers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, founded by Father Koźmiński. Kazimiera worked as a teacher for several years. After completing her religious formation, on June 1, 1879, she made her first vows. In 1881, Father Honorat Koźmiński entrusted her with the function of the superior in “the Shelter” (Przytulisko) in Warsaw – a women's shelter, with the recommendation that she should establish a new religious congregation of a hidden character. Under her direction, in 1882, a new congregation was formed: Sisters of Sufferers. When the congregation was approved in 1909, the Holy See changed its name to the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Suffering. K. Gruszczyńska managed the Congregation for 45 years, until her death. She took care of its material and territorial development, the development of the apostolic ministry for the suffering and of every sister entrusted to her. She died on September 17, 1927 in Kozienice. Her body was ceremoniously transported and buried at Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw. From 2013, her beatification process has been under way.

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