The conference, organised in advance of solemn celebrations for the centenary of the Salesian parish (18 November 1923 – 2023), explored the theme “The Salesians in Przemyśl: history - identity – culture”, and was divided into two parts: “Footprints from the past” and “Salesian identity – culture – art”.
At the opening of the conference were Jan Jarosz, director of the National Museum of the Przemyśl Region, Fr Marcin Kaznowski, superior of the Krakow Province (PLS), and Fr Bogdan Nowak, parish priest of the parish dedicated to St Joseph.
Addresses were given by, among others, Archbishop Adam Szal, Metropolitan Archbishop of Przemyśl; Fr Jan Pietrzykowski, SDB, from the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw; Fr Stanisław Zimniak, SDB, from the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) in Rome; Dr Marcin Kapłon, from the Archbishop's Archives, Przemyśl; Tomasz Ślusarczyk from the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Krakow, and many other distinguished speakers.
There was discussion during the conference of the history of the Latin Rite Catholic community in the city, starting from 1907, and the establishment of St Joseph’s parish in Przemyśl in 1923. Bishop Szal pointed to the figure of Bishop Józef Sebastian Pelczar as the main person who helped bring the Salesians to Przemyśl. Fr Pietrzykowski, SDB, for his part, spoke about the origins of the Salesians in Przemyśl. While Fr Zimniak, SDB, described the documents concerning Przemyśl found in the Salesian Central Archives in Rome; and Fr Artur Świeży, SDB, addressed the theme of Salesian pastoral care in the parish in Przemyśl.
An important point of the conference was dedicated to the work done by Italian architect Mario Ceradini in designing the church and its decoration. And in the circumstances it was also recalled that Marian Stroński, an artist from Przemyśl, also contributed to embellishments of the church.
Jerzy Gocko, SDB, from the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), and President of the Scientific Society of Francis de Sales moderated this first part.
The second part of the event was moderated by Fr Stanisław Kulpaczyński, SDB, also from the Catholic University of Lublin.
The conference also included the opening of an exhibition entitled “Salesian Przemyśl: sacrum and culture. The centenary of St Joseph’s parish in Przemyśl”. The exhibition presents objects from the parish archives and the Przemyśl State Archives, and was prepared and curated by Dr. Marta Trojanowska.
Finally, it is worth recalling that the city of Przemyśl, which is located near the border with Ukraine, has recently been a central hub for assistance and aid to refugees who have fled the war. Thousands of people, especially in the first days of battle, sought refuge in Poland and in this city in particular, and the Sons of Don Bosco distinguished themselves in this service by welcoming as many people as possible with open arms.
