About us
The Society of Christ for Poles Living Abroad is a family made up of priests, brothers religious, and seminarians. They are popularly referred to in North America as the Society of Christ Fathers.
Aims of the Society
The main aim of the Society of Christ for Poles Living Abroad is to worship God and achieve holiness through the imitation of Jesus Christ. In a special way, members of the Society take an active part in the apostolate of caring for the souls of Poles living outside the borders of Republic of Poland.
The Society’s Founder
The Society of Christ was founded September 8, 1932 by the then Primate of Poland, Cardinal August Hlond, in cooperation with Fr. Ignacy Posadzy. After Poland regained her independence in 1918, the Polish episcopate and state authorities made efforts to provide Poles abroad with every manner of assistance, particularly the care of souls. The bishops of reborn Poland could not let go unanswered the calls for Polish priests raised by Poles from all corners of the world.
As guardian of the Polish emigrants abroad, Primate Cardinal A. Hlond, after consulting with the Holy See and receiving a directive from Pope Pius XI, called for the formation of a new religious congregation whose express purpose was the care of souls of the Polish diaspora abroad. Charged with the execution of this task was Fr. Ignacy Posadzy, who is rightly considered the co-founder of the Society of Christ.
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Ministry of the Society of Christ Fathers to Polish Migrants
The 20th century coming to its end, has been a witness of the events which have diametrically changed and are still changing the face of the world. One of these events, that continues to take place, is the migration of people. It arises as a characteristic of this age. Many reasons have affected it. Two world wars, the presence of totalitarian rules, political, social and economic crisis have played a great role in the enormous migration of people. Migration has taken place within the borders of Europe, but likewise, people emigrated from the old continent to both North and South America, Australia and in part to Africa. In the movement of large masses of people of Europe, Poles, have also had their part. The deciding factor was and remains to be the geopolitical placing of Poland. Many sons and daughters of the nation, were physically forced to emigrate. They were taken by force to Siberia. The reason for it, was the totalitarian communist system, and the Yaltan division of Europe after the second world war.
