Siostry Benedyktynki misjonarki wobec przemocy systemów totalitarnych. Szkice do historiografii dramatycznych dziejów Zgromadzenia Sióstr Benedyktynek Misjonarek (1917–1989)

The article presents the genesis (1917) and difficult fates of the Congregation of Benedictine Nuns Missionaries and their charges with changing political totalitarian systems. The Congregation shared the history of our country in the East. The way, that a young Benedictine Community paced indefatigably ahead to worship God and serve their neighbours, is presented briefly. In 1920–1939 our monastic family after being thrown out of Biała Cerkiew near Kijów rooted in Wołyń. During the World War II Hitler’s occupation and the Soviet aggression on Wołyń Province brought enormous material losses, deprived the nuns of having a roof over their heads, withdrew the possibility of fulfilling statutory tasks, but there was still hope which the nuns made use of. They had to leave Eastern borderland of II RP occupied by Bolsheviks and they were looking together with their orphans for shelter in the central part of Poland. German defeat did not mean triumph of victory in our country, after the war the Soviet Union started strengthening people’s authority in Poland. It began the struggle with Church by employing as secret workers to cooperate with people belonging to Church and Polish nation. It continued until 1989. After each disaster the Congregation had the strength of spirit and revived again.