Wrocław (Poland). From 16 February to 25 May 2025, Sister Lidia Strzelczyk, Visiting Councilor of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, made the canonical visit to Mary Help of Christians Province (PLA), on behalf of the Superior General, Mother Chiara Cazzuola.
On the evening of 16 February, she arrived in Wrocław and was joyfully welcomed at the airport by the Provincial, Sister Anna Szczęsna, together with the Sisters from the nearest communities.
On 17 February, she had a meeting with the Provincial and in the following days with the Provincial Council, the Provincial Team, and the Community Animators. During each meeting, she stressed the importance of the canonical visit, as indicated by the Constitutions of the Institute and according to the words of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.
From 23 February to 16 May, she visited all 17 Communities of the Province and each Sister had an opportunity to speak with her. The word that accompanied this period was the passage of Mary’s Visit to Saint Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-45), introduced by Sister Lydia. She then left the Sisters of the Communities a time of deep reflection and sharing. For each Educating Community, the Visit was a great celebration, with costumes, shows, songs, and dances by the children and young people who created a joyful atmosphere everywhere.
The Visiting Councilor also had various meetings with the ecclesiastical authorities: Bishop Damian Brill of the Diocese of Świdnica, Bishop Marek Menendyk of the Diocese of Kalisz, and Bishop Jacek Kiciński, Claretian, of the Archdiocese of Wrocław, President of the Commission for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. At these meetings, there were opportunities to express gratitude, to listen to each other, and to seek new ways of realizing the Salesian charism. Present were the Animators of the Communities present in their respective dioceses.
During the period of the Visit, there were many significant moments that left their mark not only on photographs, but above all in hearts. On 8 March, Sister Lidia participated in a meeting with the Salesian Family in Pieszyce, where there were many Salesian Cooperators, lay people working in the FMA works, and parents of the students. Recalling Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, the Visiting Councilor described the role of lay people in the Salesian Family.
Another significant event was the meeting with the FMA up to 25 years of Profession, organized in Bardo, an experience of prayer, mutual listening, and seeking answers to questions important for the Province. In her conference, Sister Lidia addressed the theme of belonging to the Institute on the basis of the Constitutions and the Word of God. A very familiar moment was the celebration of her name day on 27 March.
On 13 April a meeting of the Provincial Councils of the two Polish Provinces, Mary Help of Christians (PLA) and Our Lady of Jasna Góra (PLJ) was held in Wrocław, a privileged moment to look at the Polish reality, taking stock of the journey already made together, and looking with hope to the future.
On 2 May, Sister Lidia participated in the Province SYM Youth Festival, which took place in Pieszyce in an atmosphere of joy, with songs and dances highlighting the various talents of the young people. The young people invited her to a dialogue, during which they could hear the answers to the questions hidden in their hearts.
From 19 to 24 May the concluding meetings of this visit took place. Sister Lidia met first with the Provincial, Sister Anna Szczęsna, then with the Provincial Council, and in the following days with three groups of FMA in Pieszyce, Wrocław, and Piła. The last one was the meeting with the Animators in Luboń, during which they celebrated the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians.
Her visit was marked by important events in the Church, the Salesian Family, and civil society: the death of Pope Francis; the election of Pope Leo XIV; the election of the Rector Major, Father Fabio Attard and the new General Council; the election of the new President of Poland.
On 25 May 2025, Sister Lidia left the Province, which is also her native land, to continue her mission in Korea. Her presence further strengthened the sense of belonging to the Institute and was for Mary Help of Christians Province a special grace of the Jubilee Year.
Photos: Flickr FMA
