Duszpasterstwo parafialne w dekanacie oświęcimskim w latach 1843-1918

The Oświęcim Deanery had operated at least since 13th century and constituted an essential part of the Kraków Dioecese. Located on the border between Western Małopolska [Little Poland] and Silesia, it was the place where religious and cultural experience was shared. After the First Partition of Poland (1772), due to state- and church-related administrative changes, it became a part of the newly established Tarnów Dioecese (1786). In 1880 the Deanery returned to the Diocese of Kraków. In 1843, after subsequent administrative changes, the Oświecim Deanery was composed of 14 parishes, one branch and one local chaplaincy. Finally, in view of the development of the parish network and establishing the Zator Deanery in 1910, in the year 1918 twelve parishes and three branches formed the Oświęcim Deanery. The inhabitants of the Oświęcim Deanery were culturally and religiously diversified. Jews constituted a substantial part of the population and the vicinity of the state border stimulated migrations. It was particularly noticeable in Oświęcim. During the period of interest the infrastructure of particular parishes developed; seven new brick churches were built and a post-Dominican church in Oświęcim was restored. Monastic life intensified as well. In the Oświęcim Deanery four new religious orders had their facilities built (the Salesians and the Sistes of Our Lady of Sorrows in Oświęcim, the Order of St Clare and Sisters of the Resurrection in Kęty). Meanwhile, the ministry in the parishes in the Oświęcim Deanery had undergone profound transformations. Departure from the Josephinian model towards new trends of pastoral theology fostered deepening of religious life of Catholics. The central point of the church ministry was still occupied by the holy mass enjoying high attendance rate of the congregation in that area. However, rubricism connected with a number of detailed church and state rules still played an important role. A particular attention was drawn to the systematics of receiving sacraments, especially confirmation and anointing of the sick. Eucharistic piety also deepened. Christian formation was achieved through catechization at schools and in parishes, as well as through preaching of similar nature. Various forms of extraordinary ministry gained paramount significance, the first being confraternities and Christian associations developing at that time. In the mid-19th century between 25-65% of worshippers joined sobriety associations established in several parishes in the deanery. At the beginning of the 20th century in all parishes in the deanery in question there functioned the living rosary association and confraternities of the sacred heart of Jesus, as well as other confraternities of a more elite character. Revival of ministry was brought about by missions and spiritual retreats conducted by properly prepared priests, drawing crowds of worshippers. Pilgrimages also sparked immense interest. Congregants from parishes in the Oświęcim Deanery would go on a pilgrimage especially to Jasna Góra Monastery and Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. Local pilgrimage sites, visited also by worshippers from distant locations, also enjoyed popularity, among them being the church in Bielany with and effigy of the Suffering Jesus, St John Cantius Chapel in Kęty, as well as St Jack chapel and Salesian Church of Mary Help of Christians in Oświęcim. Educational, cultural and charity-related activities of the local Church also played an essential role. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries the said activities were dominated by religious congregations, running nursing homes, charitable nurseries and schools. Educational facility managed by Salesian priests in Oświęcim deserves a particular mention The said institution used to educate excellent skilled craftsmen, taking care, at the same time, of the Christian, cultural and patriotic formation. During WWI monastery rooms housed military hospitals. Nuns were engaged in nursing care of the sick and wounded, thereby giving evidence of Christian mercy