„Wszystko dla Jezusa przez bolejące Serce Maryi”

Historia posługi sióstr serafitek w Bachowicach

Abstract

“ALL FOR JESUS THROUGH THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY”: HISTORY OF THE MINISTRY OF THE SERAPHIC SISTERS IN BACHOWICE

The Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Sorrows (Seraphite Sisters) was founded in 1881 in Zakroczym in the Russian partition. After 10 years, the sisters moved to Galicia, and their first outposts were established in Hałcnów and Oświęcim. Significant development of the congregation took place during the time when Bachowice was home to Rev. Franciszek Gołba. He wanted local children to be able to find care in the centres he founded, so he brought the Seraphite Sisters to the parish. Between the two world wars, the care centres operated in three different buildings.
They were led initially by lay people, including Maria Momot, and later by the Seraphite Sisters. After World War II, they still ran a kindergarten subordinate to Caritas, which was taken away from them in 1962. From then on, the sisters were not only taking care of the church, but also catechising children, first at the religious house, and from 1990-2014 at the local school. Of the sisters who ministered in Bachowice, Sister Perpetua Kuc (1899-1978) was the most memorable to the residents. From 1932 to 1945 and from 1962 until her death in 1978, she provided primary medical care at a time when it was difficult to access. In addition, she worked with children at the care centres and was involved in the daily life of the villagers. Her birth sister, Domicela (1910-1980), also joined the congregation of the Seraphite Sisters and worked for a time at the Bachowice care centre. The article concludes by recalling the memories of Bachowice residents about Sister Perpetua, whose memory is still alive.