Tomasz Zielenkiewicz
This year, the John Paul II Vatican Foundation will celebrate its 45th anniversary. “In this regard, together with Father Paweł Ptasznik, the chairman, we concluded that this is a good opportunity to reach Poles in a new way, to make them aware that a foundation, established by Saint John Paul II himself, has been operating in the Vatican, within the structures of the Holy See, for so many years,” said Father Podlewski in an interview with Vatican Radio – Vatican News. “The Foundation effectively pursues many statutory goals directly related to the pontificate of our holy compatriot in various parts of the world. Having learned that the Team for the Heritage of Saint John Paul II operates within the Polish parliament, we concluded that this could be an opportunity for a very valuable exchange of experiences, a certain stream of knowledge, mutual ideas, and perhaps also some future projects,” adds the priest.
As Father Tomasz Podlewski pointed out, the foundation operates in the Holy See, which makes it less known in Poland. Hence, every opportunity to promote its activities in our country is valuable. “This kind of cooperation, whether with the Parliamentary Team for the Heritage of Saint John Paul II or with other Polish institutions, can reopen us to Poland, and Poland to us. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this, because our foundation does many beautiful things around the world. It undertakes many good works, also in our homeland,” added Father Tomasz. Hence – as he emphasized – on the 45th anniversary, it is worth reopening to various types of institutions: scientific, cultural, political, religious. “All those to whom John Paul II is dear,” concluded Father Tomasz.
In the Sejm chapel dedicated to the Mother of God, Mary Mother of the Church, Father Tomasz Podlewski is leading a three-day retreat for parliamentarians under the motto “See with His Eyes.” They can participate in Holy Masses, Bitter Lamentations, and the Way of the Cross, avail themselves of the sacrament of confession, and 24-hour adoration, and listen to the retreat teachings.
The John Paul II Vatican Foundation, operating since 1981, focuses on preserving the legacy of the Polish Pope and supporting the education of youth from Eastern Europe. The organization funds scholarships at Polish Catholic universities. In Rome, the Foundation runs the Polish House for pilgrims and a Documentation Center, which has a library of 30,000 volumes and a museum with 10,000 papal gifts. It also pays for academic scholarships for people coming to Rome to conduct research related to the teachings of John Paul II.
(The author is an employee of Polskie Radio S.A. in liquidation)
