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Nasza Przeszłość

Vol. 131 (2019): Nasza Przeszłość

Articles

The history of the Chapel of Our Lady of perpetual help at Wilcza street in Warsaw

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.2019.131.193-216  [Google Scholar]
Published: 2019-06-30

Abstract

The Catholic Church in Poland played a large role in its history. The history of the Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the circle of people who were and are connected with it were closely woven with the history of Warsaw. From the beginning, the chapel was associated with “the Shelter” (Przytulisko), a charitable institution founded in Warsaw. Broad charity activity in the second half of the 19th century was a response to the problems of the poor world of work and growing poverty. It was “the Shelter” that became the foundation of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Suffering, and the chapel became the property of the Sisters. The first chapel was founded in 1856 and was a transitory chapel. The permanent chapel – initially wooden – was erected in the place of the permanent seat of “the Shelter” in 1870, and soon a brick chapel was built. Due to significant destruction, the chapel had to be rebuilt. In its present form, it has existed since 1915. Despite the military activities and destruction that affected Warsaw in the years of World War II, the Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help – despite considerable damage, was not completely demolished. After carrying out the necessary repairs, it has continuously served the Franciscan Sisters as well as the inhabitants of the capital who attend it. In the chapel, apart from many statues and paintings, there is an altar dedicated to the Main Patron – Our Lady of Perpetual Help with a copy of her icon. The altar was brought from Rome by Kazimiera Gruszczyńska, the founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Suffering. The veneration which Our Lady receives in the chapel is evidenced by the numerous votive offerings in the display cases hung on the walls next to the altar. Epitaphs and commemorative plaques placed on the walls of the chapel and in its vestibule indicate that the history of the nation, the church and the religious experience of many people are intertwined in this place.

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