On October 29, at the Church of St. Stanislaw in Rome, the fifth volume of the cycle “Testimonies” by Ms. Ewa Prządka was presented. The volume entitled, “Time of war – time of peace in Polish Rome”, tells about various activities of Polish church institutions, congregations and individual Poles in Italy, in particular in Rome, during the Second World War and immediately after it. Among the celebrities participating in the presentation were the Ambassador of Poland to the Holy See, Hanna Suchocka, and Archbishop Szczepan Wesoły, who for many years was responsible for the pastoral care of Polish emigrants.   

I am happy to inform you that two large chapters of the book are dedicated to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. A very important source of information was provided by two house chronicles – those of Albano and Machiavelli, as well as by the so-called Nazareth News. All participants at the presentation, with much gratefulness and admiration, were praising the sisters who wrote the chronicles with such enthusiasm, fidelity, interest and intelligence. They captured various events of those days, starting with simple everyday events, through the life of the Church and the situation of the Holy Father, finishing with news concerning Poland, Italy, the world situation and political problems. Their writings reflect a wonderful witness to faith, patriotism and love of God, country and every human being.  The story of their daily life is written in simple notebooks, often in a hurry and between episodes of bombings. 

An updated convent chronicle can provide important information for the future.  We are grateful for the material written and preserved in the house chronicles of the past. They have found their place in history.