Cdl. Stanisław Dziwisz says that the Church and Poland are indebted to Wanda Półtawska

Wanda Półtawska w 1963 r., fot. wikimedia (domena publiczna)

“We celebrate today’s Eucharist as an expression of gratitude to the Church and – I do not hesitate to say – an expression of gratitude from Saint John Paul II himself – for the testimony of the Gospel that Doctor Półtawska has always given and continues to bear,” said Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz in St. Mary’s Basilica, on 3rd November this year. – on the occasion of the 100th birthday of prof. Dr. Wanda Półtawska.

We will publish the full message of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, former Archbishop of Krakow and personal secretary of St. John Paul II:

I share the joy of all those gathered today in St. Mary’s Basilica, in the heart of the royal city of Krakow. We celebrate the Eucharist on the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Professor Dr. Wanda Półtawska, an extraordinary woman to whom the Church and Poland owe so much.

In her teenage years, Wanda went through the hell of prisons and concentration camps. In this crucible of suffering and humiliation, however, the gold of her love and service emerged. This path was followed and continued throughout her life by Wanda as a wife and mother, as a doctor and university professor. She devoted herself with all her heart and soul to the great cause of defending human life from its conception. She devoted herself to the family, to prepare young people for the project of beautiful marital love. She taught not only by her words, but also her righteous life and steadfast attitude, not surrendering to the rulers of the communist dictatorship.

By serving important values, she became a faithful collaborator of the Archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal Karol Wojtyła. Their friendship and spiritual bond gave birth to an enormous good that enriched the Church not only in our homeland. Needless to say, how much John Paul II appreciated Wadna’s righteousness, wise thought, experience and passionate commitment to the great matters of people, family and society.

We celebrate today’s Eucharist as an expression of gratitude to the Church and – I do not hesitate to say – an expression of gratitude from Saint John Paul II himself – for the testimony to the Gospel that Doctor Półtwaska has always given and continues to bear. We also remember at this Mass her deceased husband, the late Professor Andrzej Półtawski, her faithful companion in life.

We wish the distinguished Jubilarian strength, health and God’s blessing for the next years of service to God and God’s people. We pray with her, borrowing the words of the Psalmist: “How can I repay the Lord for all the good he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”(Ps 116: 12-13).