Jun 11, 2026 | NEWS
Trip to Visit the Gypsy Children
April 25–30, 2026
As always, the “Cologne Speedster” was loaded to the brim with donations. After Father Basilius gave us his blessing for the journey, Mr. Lingenthal and I set off (592 km). The trip went very smoothly, with perfect weather and no traffic jams. Our destination for the day was Neuhaus am Inn, and we arrived there safely…but then there was a small problem…there weren’t two rooms available for the night (even though they had been booked), but only one…so Mr. Lingenthal slept in the “Kölner Flitzer.” On Sunday at 5:30 a.m., we continued on toward Austria…because at that time, the border posts aren’t staffed yet. It was sunny again, the roads were clear, and we drove to Heiligenkreuz Abbey (256 km) for Holy Mass. I would have loved to stop by the monastery shop after the service—but when you’re traveling with men…you hardly have a chance for something like that…and that’s exactly how it was this Sunday. We drove on from Heiligenkreuz Abbey to Liptovský Mikuláš in the High Tatras (376 km). Early Monday morning, we set off again on our journey to Košice, the place Pope Francis visited in 2021. There, our interpreter Rado was waiting for us to drive together to the Caritas Center (65 km) in beautiful sunshine. Children and their mothers can come to the Caritas Center every day. They receive plenty of water and meals. The children who are not yet in school receive social guidance and are very well cared for. The children live with their families just about 100 meters from the center. The chapel was built by the Benedictines and their circle of friends right in the middle of the camp. Brother Lukas (+March 2026) designed it using his artistic talent. After visiting the chapel, all the children, of course, received a small treat again. I have rarely seen so much filth and poverty—but never, as always, so many grateful children. Unfortunately, the Benedictines from Maria Laach can no longer continue to be involved due to their age. But my benefactors in Cochem—to whom I am infinitely grateful—and I want to continue supporting this mission, even if it is more difficult for me from Berlin. But I think—it is in the spirit of our founder, whose 150th anniversary of his death we are commemorating this year—that solutions will be found. For whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me! Mt. 25:40
Sister Felicitas
May 31, 2026 | NEWS
On Trinity Sunday, which fell on the last day of May, the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, together with parishioners from Mieszkowice and Szybowice, praised Mary at the place where the Servant of God, Fr. Jan Schneider, was born. Together we prayed for his beatification and for the graces we ourselves need. It was a wonderful gathering, enveloped in the spiritual presence of our Servant of God.
s. Barbara
May 26, 2026 | NEWS
On Friday, May 22, St. Notburga House in Racibórz served as the venue for a special gathering of residents and visitors during Racibórz’s St. Notburga Night. The event was organized by the Administration of the Piast Castle in Racibórz and the Racibórz County in cooperation with the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate and provided an opportunity to learn about the history of the site, the congregation’s activities, and the spiritual heritage of the Racibórz region. Sister Dr. Elżbieta Cińcio, SMI, spoke about the history of St. Notburga’s House and the congregation’s activities in Racibórz. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the history of the site and hear about the sisters’ work and mission over the years. The meeting provided a better understanding of the role that St. Notburga House has played in the life of the local community for over a century, remaining a place of assistance, prayer, and daily service to others. The program also included a lecture on the Servant of God, Sister Dulcissima Hoffmann, delivered by Sister Małgorzata Cur, SMI. The gathering highlighted the figure of a Marian Sister connected to the region, whose life and work remain an important part of the spiritual heritage of the Racibórz area to this day. Participants had the opportunity to learn about her witness of faith, humility, and devotion to those who suffer. The evening was complemented by a concert of the most beautiful sacred arias performed by Justyna Bujak. The artist, who has achieved numerous successes in national and international vocal competitions, presented her repertoire in St. Joseph’s Chapel, creating a unique and deeply moving musical setting for the event. The sacred pieces performed within the historic interiors of the chapel gave the gathering a special, reflective character. The St. Notburga Night in Racibórz was not only an opportunity to learn about the history and architecture of this unique place, but also a time for community, prayer, and cultural engagement. The evening demonstrated that the memory of the past and the region’s spiritual heritage remain an important element of the local community’s identity.
May 25, 2026 | NEWS
Music filled the Church of Sts. Matthew and James the Apostles in Racibórz-Brzezie, offering not only an artistic experience but also a prayer and a moment of spiritual reflection. On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the May Concert of Sacred Music took place, organized as part of the 5th Dulcissimian Days, commemorating the 90th anniversary of the death of the Servant of God, Sister Maria Dulcissima Hoffmann. From the very first notes, the church was filled with an atmosphere of contemplation and reflection. The church became a place where music, faith, and community came together. Performing before the assembled audience were the St. Anne Choir from Krzyżanowice, conducted by Leonard Fulneczek, and the Brzezie Choir, led by Aleksandra Gamrot. The repertoire included sacred music pieces whose sound harmonized perfectly with the unique character of the venue. The concert was further enriched by solo performances. The vocal parts were performed by Mateusz Łyżwa (bass), Michalina Gardzielik played the organ, and Paweł Muszkieta presented the subtle and light flute parts. The ensemble was complemented by the Instrumental Ensemble conducted by Andrzej Rosoł, creating a harmonious musical backdrop for the event. A special moment of the concert was the performance of “Ave Maria,” which moved the audience and immersed them in an atmosphere of deep contemplation. The music echoing beneath the church’s vaulted ceiling echoed the words of Sister Maria Dulcissima Hoffmann: “I would like to be a singer, to sing in gratitude for all of God’s blessings.” This quote became the symbolic motto of the event, whose character transcended the artistic dimension. The May Sacred Music Concert was not only an opportunity to experience the beauty of choral and instrumental music, but also a space for collectively commemorating the Racibórz mystic. The evening left the participants with a sense of spiritual closeness, gratitude, and inner peace, demonstrating that sacred music is still capable of touching the deepest chords of human sensitivity.
S. Małgorzata Cur
May 25, 2026 | NEWS
From May 15 to 17, 2026, Racibórz hosted the 5th Dulcissimian Days, a unique religious and cultural event dedicated to the memory of the Servant of God Maria Dulcissima Hoffmann. This year’s edition was particularly special, as it marked the 90th anniversary of Dulcissima’s death, who passed away in the odor of sanctity on May 18, 1936, in Racibórz-Brzezie. For several years now, the Dulcissimian Days have been a fixture on the region’s calendar of important spiritual and cultural events. They combine prayer, scholarly reflection, public debate, and the integration of the local community. The event was organized by the Sisters of Mary Immaculate of the Polish Province, together with the Racibórz County and the management of the Piast Castle in Racibórz.
The celebrations began on Friday with a prayer vigil at the Church of Sts. Matthew and James the Apostles in Racibórz-Brzezie, a place connected with the life and death of Sr. Dulcissima. It is in Brzezie that her grave is located, visited for years by pilgrims and the faithful seeking her intercession. A key highlight of the celebrations was an academic symposium titled “Sister Maria Dulcissima Hoffmann SMI: Teacher of Life and Death,” held at the Piast Castle in Racibórz. Speakers included clergy, theologians, and representatives from the academic world, who addressed the themes of suffering, death, and Christian spirituality. The lectures covered, among other things, the hospice experience, the spirituality of Polish mystics, and reflections on eternal life.
The first lecture was delivered by Rev. Prof. Antoni Bartoszek of the University of Silesia. The lecture, titled “The Mystery of Suffering and Dying in the Experience of Hospice Ministry,” focused on accompanying terminally ill patients. The speaker noted that the modern world often avoids talking about death, while the hospice experience reveals a profound need for presence, dignity, and spiritual support for a person at the end of life. The lecture had not only a theological dimension but also a very practical and humanistic one. The lecture by Fr. Przemysław Krakowczyk, SAC, titled “Becoming the Living Host: The Imitation of Christ in the Experience of the Polish Mystics St. Faustina Kowalska and the Servant of God Sr. Dulcissima Hoffmann” also generated significant interest. The speaker compared the spirituality of St. Faustina Kowalska and Sr. Maria Dulcissima Hoffmann, highlighting similarities in their experience of suffering and their total surrender to God. He emphasized that both mystics viewed daily hardship and illness as a path of spiritual maturation and service to others. In conclusion, he stated that: “Both mystics took up the same challenge: to become a living host for the Church and for the world.” In the third presentation, Regina Przyłucka introduced Sr. Dulcissima “among the young saints.” It was a reflection on the young people of the Church who, despite their short lives, left behind a unique witness of faith. The speaker pointed out that today’s youth need authentic spiritual role models, and the figure of the young Silesian nun can be an inspiration to many. The next lecture, by Fr. Dr. Aleksander Radecki, concerned preparing oneself for the moment of death. The topic “Readiness for Death: Dulcissima Prepares Us to Cross Over to the Other Side of Life” was deeply spiritual in nature and prompted participants to reflect on transience and the meaning of life. The priest emphasized that the Christian view of death should not be based on fear, but on hope and faith in eternal life. The final lecture was delivered by Fr. Prof. Marek Chmielewski of the Catholic University of Lublin. The lecture focused on the experience of death and life after death as depicted in the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Church’s mystics. The professor cited the testimonies of individuals who, in their spiritual writings, described experiences of suffering, encounters with God, and the hope of eternal life. The lecture served as a sort of summary of the entire symposium, giving it the dimension of a theological reflection on the meaning of human life and transience.
On Saturday afternoon, during the Eucharist, Bishop Andrzej Czaja of the Diocese of Opole spoke in his homily primarily about the need to cultivate a deep relationship with Christ within oneself and about the spiritual legacy of Sister Maria Dulcissima Hoffmann. He emphasized that the life of the Silesian mystic was “a beautiful testimony to zealous cooperation with Christ’s work.” Bishop Czaja pointed out that Sister Dulcissima’s life shows us that even suffering and illness can become a path to spiritual maturity and a testimony of faith.
Another important element of the event was a discussion titled “How to Live in Order to Die Well? Death as a Stage of Life.” The participants in the discussion highlighted the need to regain a deeper perspective on the meaning of life, suffering, and transience in the modern world.
Sunday’s celebrations culminated in a Mass presided over by Bishop Adam Wodarczyk, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Katowice. After the Mass, the sisters invited all parishioners and guests to a family picnic in the convent garden. The day concluded with a magnificent May Concert of Sacred Music.
The Dulcissima Days are not only a way to commemorate Sr. Maria Dulcissima Hoffmann, but also an opportunity to build community and deepen spiritual life. Each successive edition attracts people interested in both the history of the Silesian mystic and reflection on faith, suffering, and the meaning of human life. The figure of Sister Dulcissima has for years aroused great interest among the faithful, clergy, and scholars of spirituality. Despite her severe illness, this young nun was able to maintain a cheerful spirit and deep trust in God, which is why she remains a model of perseverance and spiritual strength for many today. The ongoing beatification process ensures that the memory of her continues to grow stronger, and Racibórz-Brzezie is increasingly marking its presence on the map of Poland’s important pilgrimage sites.
S. Małgorzata Cur
May 19, 2026 | NEWS
On Friday, May 15, 2026, a gala event was held at Hydropolis in Wrocław—the finale of the first edition of the Game Changer competition. The competition recognized individuals and initiatives that, through their courage, innovation, and actions, are shaping the future of Wrocław. The John Paul II Children’s Care and Treatment Center in Jaszkotl was honored in the Special Award category. The description read: “In a world where haste often obscures what is most important, there is a place where time is measured by love, and every small step is an occasion for great celebration. The John Paul II Children’s Care and Treatment Center in Jaszkotl, run by the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, is not just a medical facility. It is a safe haven where suffering meets an infinite reservoir of hope and professional care.” S.M. Sylwia Borowska, who runs the facility, emphasizes the fruitful collaboration of many in creating a true home for the children—one full of safety, understanding, and love—teaching us to view a child through the lens of their potential, not their illness. She says:“Every day, we do our utmost to ensure that the children in our care can develop to the best of their abilities, experience a childhood full of smiles, and build self-esteem. Comprehensive rehabilitation, therapy, and medical care are extremely important, but equally important to us is the atmosphere of kindness, closeness, and family warmth created together by the Sisters, staff, volunteers, and friends of our facility.”
CONGRATULATIONS!
More information at the link:
ZOL dla Dzieci w Jaszkotlu – Game Changer 2026 w kategorii Nagroda Specjalna - Wrocławskie Fakty
