The Primate of the Millennium - a Gift of Divine Providence to the Polish Nation

Abstract

It is now more than thirty years since the death of the Primate of Poland, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, known also as the Primate of the Millennium, on May 28, 1981. His pastoral ministry and widespread activity for the good of the Nation took place at a time of great social and political changes in Poland, Europe and eventually the whole world. Cardinal Wyszyński led the Nation through years of restrictions enforced by the dictatorship of an imposed Communist rule. He was the heir of his predecessor Cardinal August Hlond and there was yet another great personality to emerge by his side - the pastor of Krakow, Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, the now Blessed John Paul II. After being elected pope he gave the highest testimony to Cardinal Wyszyński by saying, „[...] there would not be on St. Peter's See this Pope from Poland, who today full of God's fear, but also full of confidence begins a new pontificate, if it were not for your faith that did not step back in fear of imprisonment and suffering, if it were not for your heroic hope, your complete trust in the Mother of God, if it were not for Jasna Góra and the whole period in the history of the Church in our Motherland connected with your ministry as bishop and primate."