Fr. Łukasz Bankowski – Vatican City
Gratitude for a Free Homeland
The upcoming holiday is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of independence and responsibility for Poland – including beyond its borders. Fr. Jarosz invites the Polish diaspora in Italy, Poles staying in Rome, and all friends of Poland to take part in the meeting.
“National Independence Day is a special opportunity for Poles to express gratitude for a free Homeland, but also to reflect on what independence is and what responsibility we bear for Poland – regardless of where we live,” he emphasizes.
A Film on Polishness during the Partitions
The evening will begin with the premiere of the documentary “Poles in the Eternal City: Faith, Homeland, and 19th-Century Heritage,” prepared by TV Trwam at the invitation of the Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr, in Rome.
The film tells the story of Poles who, during the partitions, worked to preserve their native culture, language, faith, and national identity. Guiding viewers through the streets, squares, and churches of Rome, it reveals traces of their presence and testimonies of their attachment to the Homeland.
“Rome has for centuries been an important place on the map of Polish history and spirituality,” Fr. Jarosz reminds us. The Church of St. Stanislaus, founded in the 16th century, remains one of the oldest Polish pastoral centers abroad.
A Meeting of Generations
After the screening, participants will jointly sing songs from the times of the partitions and the fight for independence. Students from Polish diaspora schools will present works by Cyprian Kamil Norwid, Józef Mączka, and Leopold Staff.
The organizers want the historical remembrance to be accompanied by the personal engagement of the young generation. As Fr. Jarosz points out, the evening is intended to allow young Poles to express their own bond with the Homeland, while helping to pass on the national heritage to future generations.
Free Admission
The meeting will take place on Sunday, November 8, at 7:30 PM at Cinema Adriano at Piazza Cavour 22 in Rome. Admission is free.
“I cordially invite Poles living in Rome and the surrounding area, pupils and students, representatives of Polish diaspora communities, as well as Italians, Vatican residents, and all those close to Poland,” says Fr. Jarosz.
Each participant will receive a national rosette and a songbook to join in the shared celebration. Refreshments will also be provided.
