On October 19, the 35th anniversary of Jerzy Popiełuszko’s martyrdom, Poland will celebrate for the first time the National Day of Remembrance for Steadfast Clergy which was adopted by the Polish parliament, announced the Polish Bishops’ Conference.
The Act emphasizes that since the dawn of history in Poland “there are figures of steadfast, heroic clergy, for whom Christian ideas and faith in God are the basis for apostolate, pious life and the pursuit of holiness, but also constitute an additional motivation to act for the benefit of the earthly Homeland – its development, sovereignty and prosperity”.
On this day the faithful will be able to venerate the relics in the form of Popiełuszko’s cassock, in which he was murdered on October 19, 1984, by the communist security officers. The solemn Mass and the display of relics will take place in the St. Slanislaus Kostka church in Warsaw where Blessed Popiełuszko spent the last years of his life serving the working people as their chaplain.
«May these brave clergymen be an example and an inspiration to all of us to deepen our faith and work for the good of our temporal and eternal homeland,” said Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.
