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