Jubilee of Gratitude and Hope
On Sunday, October 26, 2025, a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica in Kielce to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and their 85th anniversary in the diocesan capital. Bishop Jan Piotrowski of Kielce presided over the Eucharist and emphasized in his homily the importance of the jubilee as a time of gratitude and hope. “This is a time to thank the sisters for their service to our community in the spirit of Nazareth for the past 85 years. This jubilee is also a call to renew our hope and to reconciliation with God,” said Bishop Piotrowski.
In reference to the ongoing Jubilee Year, the shepherd of the diocese reminded us that Christian hope is a light that leads to reconciliation and spiritual renewal. “The Word of God is a compass that always points us in the right direction. If Christians want to live in God’s presence, they must listen.” ‘Hear, O Israel’ — this call remains relevant today. Together, as pilgrims of hope, we thank God for 150 years of the Congregation’s existence and 85 years of the Sisters’ charismatic service in Kielce,” he emphasized.
‘The Sisters have served in the Diocese of Kielce for 85 years. We thank them for all the good that has come from their lives and work, and for all that has happened and will happen in the future. The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth is the largest in Kielce and the diocese as a whole,” said the bishop.
The Gratitude and Joy of the Jubilee
Except for a prayerful one the jubilee celebrations had also an artistic dimension. The pupils and staff of our schools, together with their parents and sisters, put on a wonderful performance about Blessed Franciszka Siedliska, depicting her spiritual journey, her trust in God, and her devotion to her family. The performance was warmly received by the audience and was a beautiful testament to the community spirit fostered by the sisters and their pupils.
Prayer and joy accompanied all participants of the jubilee. The mission of Nazareth – serving the family and the Church – is as relevant and necessary as ever, particularly at a time when family and spiritual bonds require special care.
The jubilee provided an opportunity not only to reminisce, but also to express gratitude for the sisters’ many years of devoted service to the Church and the city.
CSFN Sisters in Kielce: eight decades of service to God and humanity
The history of the CSFN’s presence in the Diocese of Kielce dates back to 1937, when the sisters arrived in the Narama parish. In a neighboring village, they ran a nursery and a day center for girls, teaching them embroidery, sewing and housework. This facility existed until 1943.
Two years after they arrived in the diocese, Bishop Czesław Kaczmarek requested that the Sisters of the Holy Family come to Kielce and take over the running of the Queen Jadwiga Catholic School. However, the outbreak of World War II prevented the start of the school year, so instead the sisters became involved in charitable work, helping the inhabitants of the city — especially those of the cathedral parish.
The sisters ran a kitchen that served around 400 meals a day. They also prepared parcels for prisoners in concentration camps, particularly imprisoned priests from the Diocese of Kielce. Several of the sisters collaborated with the Home Army, and the German army partially occupied the building at 5 Słowackiego Street. During this difficult time, the Nazareth Sisters’ house in Kielce also served as a formation house for novices.
After the war ended in February 1945, the sisters reopened the school. Initially, the primary school was co-educational, while the secondary school was intended exclusively for girls.
However, the post-war years brought new difficulties. In 1952, three successive superiors of the Kielce convent – Sisters Beatrix Kirkor, Izabela Machowska and Benigna Westwallowicz – were arrested by the communist authorities as part of an investigation into Bishop Czesław Kaczmarek. Sister Benigna died shortly after being released from prison and was buried at the New Cemetery in Kielce. Sister Beatrix was buried at Rakowice Cemetery in Krakow and Sister Izabela at Czerniakow Cemetery in Warsaw.
Despite facing persecution, the school continued to grow. By the end of the 1950s, it was the largest Catholic school in Poland, with around 1,000 pupils. However, in 1960, it was closed by the communist authorities, who took over the building. The sisters were forced to leave and moved to 1 Virgin Mary Square.
At Bishop Kaczmarek’s request, Provincial Mother Lucyllina Stelmaszuk allowed the Sisters to remain in Kielce to continue their work with the local community. With the bishop’s support, they found employment in the diocesan curia, where they have worked for over sixty years. Many sisters also worked as catechists in Kielce parishes.
After an absence of many years, Queen Jadwiga School reopened in 2001. Some of the sisters then returned to the building at 5 Słowackiego Street, marking the beginning of two CSFN communities in Kielce.
Today, sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth, faithful to their charism, continue to serve God, the Church, and the city’s inhabitants as they have been doing so since the early days of their presence in the Diocese of Kielce. At present, living in three communities they work in the Diocesan Curia, Caritas, the hospice, and the primary and secondary schools they run.
Flickr album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCyVVH
