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Vol. 51 (1979): Our Past

Articles

Róża Łubieńska and her social activities

  • Maria Świątecka
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.1979.51.147-177  [Google Scholar]
Published: 1979-06-30

Abstract

Róża Łubieńska (1881–1954) was a committed person in the fullest sense of the word. This involvement had a double, although inseparable, strand: religious and social. The first, in its deepest essence inaccessible to the average observer, is, however, visible in the power of the second: in the extent of selfless work for the most needy, both in the material and moral sense. It is this second trend that will be the subject of the following sketch. Her religious experiences took her to the servants in Stara Wieś, but she did not find a place for herself there either. After a few months of trying, she came to the conclusion that her life path was different. At the beginning of World War I, in 1915, Róża left for Krakow and remained associated with this city for the rest of her life. In 1922, she founded the Congregation of the Ladies of the Children of Mary, which combined Catholic spirituality with work for the poor. Her activities were supported by Metropolitan Adam Sapieha. In December 1922, she took over the leadership of the Association for the Care of Abandoned Infants. Baby Jesus. A separate chapter of work is the care of the ward for venereal disease patients at St. Hospital. Lazarus in Krakow. Łubieńska's truly pioneering initiative in Kraków was to organize extensive care for prisoners and their families. In March 1925, on Łubieńska's initiative, the so-called "Patronage" - Society for the Protection of Prisoners, Branch in Kraków (the seat of the Patronage was Warsaw). In 1930, she was appointed a member of the Customs Committee at the Municipal Office, in 1933 she was elected a member of the City Council, and in the years 1934-39 she was a member of the Krakow City Board and the only woman in this group. In 1939, under the leadership of Metropolitan Adam Sapieha, the Citizens' Aid Committee was established, which organized care for war victims in 5 sections. The Charity Section initially operated under the leadership of prof. Emil Godlewski and Łubieńska. Already the second day after the liberation of Krakow, Łubieńska returned to her social work. The activist's work was recognized with the following awards: papal "Pro Ecclesia et Pontífice" and state awards.

References

  1. Wenzel-Hornecka Z., Polski Komitet Opiekuńczy Kraków- -Miasto w latach 1939—1945 i jego akta. „Archeion” nr 41, 1964. [Google Scholar]

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