February - March 1973
The purpose of this visit was to attend the 40th International
Eucharistic Congress held in Melbourne from the 18th-25th February
1973. He attended it with Bishop Szczepan Wesoly, Bishop
Delegate of Poland's Primate Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski for Polish
communities outside of Poland. He was fifty-two years old.
Prior and post this commitment he met extensively with the Polish-Australian
community. He visited the state capital cities of Brisbane (10-12th
), Sydney (14-16th), Canberra (16-17th), Melbourne (17-19th), Hobart
(19-20th), Melbourne (20-27th), Adelaide (27th - 28th) and Perth
(28th Feb. - 1st Mar.)
Source
Much of the information for this visit comes from an unpublished
manuscript written and compiled by Halina & Jerzy B. (George)
Prociuk entitled: A story never told: John Paul II in Sydney
as Cardinal Karol Jozef Wojtyla, 14 February 1973 : first visit
to Australia (Sydney, 2005).
References to this manuscript are made as footnotes at the end
of this visit.
Itinerary
Brisbane, 10th-12th February
10th February, Saturday
Arrival and welcome at the Brisbane Airport [3.05 pm]
The Polish Reception Committee (chaired by Fr. Kasjan Wolak and
the presidents of all the Polish Queensland organisations) and children
representing Polish schools and Polish scouts in Queensland met
with Cardinal Wojtyla and Bishop Szczepan Wesoly at Brisbane Airport.
Liturgical reception with Holy Mass at Church of Our Lady Victorious
(Matka Boska Zwycieska) at Bowen Hills [4.00pm]
Fr. Wolak welcomes the visitor followed by a sung liturgical Mass
(Laurentian)
Cardinal Wojtyla meets the Premier of Queensland
Reception and banquet at Polish House (Dom Polski) [8.00pm]
President of Dom Polski Mr. Zbigniew Sudull greets the eminent guests
with the Polish custom of bread and salt. The master of ceremonies
for the banquet is Vice-President Mr. Franciszek Rutyna. Honoured
guests include Opposition leader Mr. Huston, the Anglican Archbishop
Mr. Arnott, Chancellor of the University of Queensland Mr. Cowen
and Deputy Lord Mayor of Brisbane Mr. Walsh as well as other invited
guests and their wives from the Polish and Australian communities.
11th February, Sunday
Holy Mass at Church of Our Lady Victorious (Matka Boska Zwycieska)
at Bowen Hills [10.00am]
Mass concelebrated by Cardinal Wojtyla and Fr. Prelate Jaroszka
followed by the Te Deum Laudamus procession.
Open air children's pageant, Bowen Hills [5.00pm]
Polish school children and youth from Polish scouting groups entertain
Cardinal Wojtyla under the direction of Scoutmaster Mr F. Kuropka.
The ladies from the Rosary Circle (Kolo Rozancowe) provided a light
supper in the Parish Hall
12th February, Monday
Departure via Sydney to New Zealand [6.00am]
Sydney, NSW, 14th -16th February
Arrival, welcome and Press conference at Sydney International Airport
[7.05pm]
The official Australian delegation to welcome Cardinal Wojtyla,
Bishop Szczepan Wesoly and Fr S. Dziwisz (Cardinal's Secretary)
were met by the Polish Welcoming Party 1 (see below) and Mr J Prociuk
who then introduced them to the official Australian delegation,
which consisted of Cardinal Freeman and his entourage, representatives
of the Federal and State governments and Anglican Church, and Consuls
Mr Malczyk and Mr Switkowski from the Polish People's Republic.
This was conducted in the V.I.P. Lounge [7.05 - 7.25pm]
Mr J. Prociuk then led the Cardinal and His Party to the press
conference room and later to the International Lounge to be welcomed
by the wider Australian Polish community. Along the way the airport
corridors were lined by Poles standing shoulder to shoulder and
cheering the distinguished guests 2.
A press conference followed in the Pittwater Room [7.30 - 7.55pm].
In attendance were the Polish Welcoming Party and the Polish Press
Committee 3 as well as representatives from the Australian press
and media including the Polish Australian reporter Mr Eugene Bajkowski
and Elzbieta Lukas. (Elzbieta's article from this press conference
was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 15 Feb 1973) 4. Whilst
the Cardinal's command of the English language enabled him to cope
quite well with questions from Australian dignitaries and the Press
a Polish Australian, Mr. M. Francki, was appointed as the official
translator 5.
The Polish Welcoming Committee 6 extended an open invitation to
all polish people to greet this distinguished visitor in the International
Lounge [8.00pm]. Some 400 Poles and their children were present,
with children and youth dressed in national costumes and Polish
scouting uniforms at the front, and their parents and other dignitaries
assembled behind. Reverend Monsignor Witold Dzieciol (Rector of
Polish Catholic Mission in Australia & NZ) greeted Cardinal
Wojtyla on behalf of all the Poles. When Cardinal Wojtyla spoke,
he made a great impression on those present. He seemed to have quite
a rapport with youth and children. Photographs were taken 7.
During his stay in Sydney, Cardinal Wojtyla resided at the residence
of Cardinal Freeman, Double Bay.
POLISH WELCOMING PARTY 1
" Rev. Monsignor Witold Dzieciol Rector of Polish Catholic
Mission in Australia & NZ.
" Fr Jozef Kolodziej, Provincial for the Society of Christ
(Towarzystwo Chrystusowcow) in Australia and NZ, representing the
Polish pastoral congregation for the Sydney metropolitan area
" Fathers Andrzej Duczkowski and Stanislaw Marut, Society of
Christ
Fr J Kolodziej, as principal Polish chaplain in metropolitan Sydney,
convened a meeting of representatives of all local Polish organizations
to arrange the Cardinal's welcome. At this meeting the following
committees were elected: 8
WELCOMING COMMITTEE (initially tasked to assist Fr J. Kolodziej
in organising the airport welcome)
" Mr Jerzy Prociuk, President, Academics Circle of NSW (Kolo
Akademikow w NPW)
" Mrs S. Bielska, Mrs J. Gromadowska, Mr B. Jedra, all from
Polish Association, Ashfield (Zwiazek Polski w Ashfield)
" Mr Maciej Francki, appointed by committee as translator for
Cardinal Wojtyla 6.
POLISH PRESS COMMITTEE (tasked to arrange the press conference
and promulgate the event through both Polish and Australian press)
3.
" Fr M. Chlebowicz, Society of Christ
" Mr. J. Drewniak, responsible for organising the press conference
at Sydney Airport
" Mr J. Dunin-Karwicki, Editor of the Polish Australian newspaper,
Wiadomosci Polskich
" Mr St. Lukas
CEREMONIAL MASS COMMITTEE( tasked to arrange mass and subsequent
festivities at Marayong)
" Fr S. Marut
" Mgr F. Lis
Mr A. Rosiak was responsible for organising the microphones at
Sydney Airport and Marayong
15th February, Thursday
Visit to retired priests, other elderly at Fr. Vianney Old People's
Home, Randwick
Interview by Pastor Rodger Bush (Methodist) for The Sun (Sydney,
NSW)
Tour of St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney
Visit to headquarters of Polish missionary order, the Society of
Christ, Bankstown
Holy Mass at *Marayong, Polish War Memorial Chapel [6.00pm]
Cardinal Wojtyla concelebrating with Bishop Wesoly and 14 Polish
priests. Followed by reception and Akademia [commemorative concert]
featuring Cabramatta choir, Mazury dance group, Syrenka dance group.
Organizer for this event was Fr S. Marut and Mr. F. Lis. The official
welcome at the commemorative concert was delivered by Mgr Sronek
(Z.G. Z.P. NSW (Polish Association of NSW)) and Col. A. Racieski
(SPK) 9
16th February, Friday
Visit to all the Polish Clubs in Sydney: Cabramatta [Dom Polski
"Orla Bialego"], Bankstown [Blessing incl.], Ashfield.
Mayors and Presidents of the three Polish Clubs welcomed Cardinal
Wojtyla [am]
Departure of Cardinal Wojtyla to Canberra from Sydney Airport [2.00pm]
Canberra, ACT, 16th-17th February
16th February, Friday
Arrival and Polish welcome at Canberra Airport [2.40pm]
The Cardinal was greeted by Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn, Archbishop
Cahill, representatives from Australian Government and Polish representatives
Fr. M. Gebicki and Mr E. Hardy, President, Council of Polish Organisations
in Australia.
ACT POLISH WELCOMING COMMITTEE
Consisted of six members
" Prof. J. Zubrzycki (Chairperson)
" Mr S. de Waldorf (Vice-Chairperson)
" Mr H. Sek-Sekalski (Secretary)
" Dr. S. Zywczak (Secretary)
" Mr T. Zapasnik (Treasurer)
" Mr Mucha (Media liaison)
Lunch at Parliament House.
Reception at Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn, Archbishop Cahill
[6.00pm]
Blessing of the Polish Club [Klub Orziel Bialy (White Eagle Club)],
O'Connor with reception [7.30pm]
17th February, Saturday
Holy Mass at St. Christopher's Cathedral, Manuka [9.00am]
Meeting with the Polish Canberra community at the SPK (Polish Ex-Servicemen's
Association,
no.5, Canberra and region), Turner [11.30am]
Departure for Melbourne from Canberra Airport [5.35pm]
Melbourne, Vic., 17th-19th February
17th February, Saturday
Arrival and reception at Melbourne Airport [6.30pm]
18th February, Sunday
Holy Mass, St. Ignatius' Church, Richmond; concelebrated with Bishop
Wesoly for the 500th anniversary of the birth of Nicholas Copernicus;
concelebrated with Bishop Wesoly
[12.00pm]
Attendance at opening of the Eucharistic Congress [2.00pm]
Mass at the Yarraville Parish followed by a meeting with the Polish
community at Dom
Polski (Polish House), Yarraville [7.00/8.00pm]
19th February, Monday
Departure from Melbourne Airport for Hobart [9.25am]
Hobart, Tas., 19th - 20th February
19th February, Monday
Polish welcome at Hobart Airport [10.30am]
Concelebration of Holy Mass with Confirmation, Church of St. Teresa,
Moonah [7.30pm]
Meeting with the Polish community at an Akademia at Dom Polski (Polish
House), Hobart
[9.00pm]
20th February, Tuesday
Excursion to Mount Wellington [early morning]
Departure from Hobart Airport for Melbourne [7.00am]
Melbourne, Vic., 20th - 27th February
The week of the Eucharistic Congress in which Cardinal Wojtyla attended
as well the following itinerary for the Polish community in Victoria
and Australia
20th February, Tuesday
Arrival at Melbourne Airport [8.05am]
State banquet for delegates to the Eucharistic Congress organised
by the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Lord Mayor [10.00am]
Holy Mass for children and parents at Church of St. Ignatius, Richmond
[3.00pm]
Holy Mass for Migrants, Melbourne Cricket Ground [8.00pm]
21st February, Wednesday
Attendance at reception for the clergy [12.00pm]
Holy Hours, St. Ignatius' Church, Richmond, with Bishop Wesoly
22nd February, Thursday
Eucharistic Congress Holy Mass, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne
[10.00am]
Blessing of the Corpus Christi Seminary, Clayton [2.00pm]
Visit to Dom Polski im. T. Kosciuszko (Polish House in the name
of T. Kosciuszko) [6.00pm]
Ecumenical Service, Melbourne Cricket Ground [8.00pm]
23rd February, Friday
Eucharistic Congress Holy Mass for School children , Melbourne Cricket
Ground, [11.30am]
Eucharistic Congress Meeting with Youth, Sidney Myer Music Bowl
[8.30pm]
24th February, Saturday
Blessing of the Sanktuarium Maryjnego (Marian Sanctuary), Essendon
[10.00am], Bishop Wesoly & Polish
priests assisting; followed by concert with Polonez Dance Group,
Gelling Choir
Holy Mass in English for those of Aboriginal heritage [3.00pm]
Liturgy (Western Rite), Melbourne Cricket Ground [8.00pm]
25th February, Sunday
Ordination of Deacons Leonard Kiesch, Wieslaw Slowik to the priesthood,
St Ignatius' Church,
Richmond [12.00pm]
Closing of the Eucharistic Congress (Statio Orbis) [5.00pm]
26th February, Monday
Concelebrated Holy Mass with all Polish priests ministering to the
Polish Australian diaspora.
Followed by meeting with them [10.00am]
27th February, Tuesday
Polish farewell at Melbourne Airport and departure to Adelaide [1.30pm]
Adelaide, S.A., 27th - 28th February
27th February, Tuesday
Polish welcome at Adelaide Airport [2.05pm]
Blessing of Dom Kopernika (Copernicus House), Athol Park [4.00pm]
Holy Mass, Cathedral, Adelaide [7.30pm]
Banquet given by Polish Association in Ottoway on occasion of the
blessing, opening of Dom
Kopernika [9.00pm]
28th February, Wednesday
Departure from Adelaide Airport for Perth [10.40am]
Perth, W.A., 28th February - 1st March
28th February, Wednesday
Polish welcome at Perth Airport [12.10pm]
Lunch with priests and Archbishop Goody
Holy Mass, St. Mary's Cathedral, Perth [7.00pm]
Meeting, Akademia, & Dinner, Klub im. Gen. W. Sikorski (General
W. Sikorski Club), Bellevue
[9.00pm]
1st March, Thursday
Polish farewell at Perth Airport and departure for Rome via Singapore
[4.15pm]
Impressions
His meetings with the Polish Australian communities were informal
and the general impression from his compatriots was one of sincerity
and warmth, which endeared him to them particularly when he joined
in their singing.
Memorabilia issued by Cardinal Wojtyla to Poles during this visit
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| Photograph [Official portrait, b&w.
with words in facsimile]
"Serdeczne wyrazy wspolnoty i zyczenia blogoslawienstwa
Bozego dla Rodakow
Australii" |
[facsimile signature] + Karol Kar.
Wojtyla Metropolitan Krakowski. Luty 1973
[also holograph signature on verso]
[Photograph courtesy of Tadeusz Zapasnik] |
Woodcut "Bl[ogoslawiona] Jadwiga
Krolowa"
Lin. E. Mensinger
[Typescript] Panu Zapasnikowi z serdecznymi zyczeniami blogoslawienstwa
Bozego
Melbourne, 27 Lutego 1973
[Holograph signature] + Karol kar. Wojtyla
[Photograph courtesy of Tadeusz Zapasnik] |
Memorabilia photograph issued by the Welcoming Committee
(Sydney)
In order to commemorate the event, the Welcoming Committee arranged
a photograph portrait of Cardinal Wojtyla. It included a dedication
from him to Poles in Australia as arranged by Mr. Jozef Drewniak.
It was offered to all Polish families through the Polish parishes
and a voluntary donation was collected. The donation paid for the
printing (organized by Mr. Karowski).
Initially 2500 copies were printed and distributed at the Polish
Club Ashfield, the Polish Scouts and the Polish Catholic parishes
throughout Sydney.
A couple of hundred copies were sent to Wollongong, Canberra, Newcastle,
S.A., N.Z. & Victoria.
Surplus funds, after covering costs of printing and distribution,
were donated to the Building Fund for the Marian Sanctuary in Essendon,
Melbourne.
In February 1974 another 1500 copies were printed and sent to Victoria.
Mr. Drewniak was responsible for the distribution outside of Sydney.
After dissolution of the Welcoming Committee (Sydney)
On 10-th August 1973 any remaining copies were given to the Polish
Priests who distributed them through their local church committees11.
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Photograph [Portrait, b&w with words in facsimile]
[facsimile signature ] + Karol Kardinal Wojtyla
Metropolitan Krakowski
25 Lutego 1973
"Na pamiatke pobytu w Australii w czasie Kongresu
Eucharystycznego przekazuje moim drogim rodakom zarowno
tym, co tutaj przybyli jak tez tym, co juz w Australii
sie urodzili, serdeczne wyrazy wspolnoty oraz zyczenia,
aby wytrali przy Chrystusie, Kosciele, Ojczyznie
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[facsimile signature]+ Carol Cardinal
Wojtyla
Metropolitan Cracow
25 February 1973
As a token of my stay in Australia during
the Eucharistic Congress, I convey to my dear countrymen,
equally to those who came here as to those born in Australia,
heartfelt compliments of unity and the desire they endure
in Christ, the Church, and in the Fatherland |
| Copyright Welcoming Committee
(Sydney), [Photograph courtesy of Jozef Drewniak, J. Prociuk]
Reproduced with their permission |
Footnotes to source: A story never told.
1. Leaves 5, 8, 10.
2. Leaf 5 with photographs; leaves 11-12.
3. Leaf 10; leaf 45, Minutes of the meeting.
4. Leaves 23, 28 with photographs; Newspaper article, Sydney Morning
Herald dated 15 Feb. 1973.
5. Leaf 5.
6. Leaf 10; leaves 45-46, Minutes of the meeting; leaves 35-36,
Open Invitation flyer; leaves 14-17, 24-25 photographs.
7. Leaves 6-7; leaves 13-18, 24-25, photographs.
8. Leaf 34, Invitation to meeting dated Nov 1972; leaf 45, Minutes
of the meeting. Page 68 Itinerary.
9. Leaves 48, 69.
10. Leaves 61-63.
11. Leaf 29, Newspaper article "Iron Curtain Cardinal"
by Roger Bush, The Sun, 26 Feb. 1973.
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