Page 33 - LOTN Autumn Issue 54 2023

FAITH AND CULTURE

by communists in 1984. In September this year, Pope Francis beatified the Polish Sącz, 1999). His teaching contained the quintessence of what a Christian should
Ulma family from the village of Markowa, murdered by the Germans during be characterized by: courage, mercy, the ability to make the greatest sacrifices,
World War II. At that time, in the territories occupied by the Germans, there was including giving one’s life, and striving for holiness. I have no doubt that here in
only one punishment for helping Jews - the death penalty. Despite everything, Scotland there are nameless Polish saints, largely unrecognised, perhaps even
the Ulmas took eight Jews under their roof, not expecting anything in return. living next door to us, thanks to whom our spiritual heritage will survive.
On March 24, 1944, German gendarmes shot to death Józef Ulma, his wife In ten years time, confessing your faith will probably be even more difficult
Wiktoria, who was seven months pregnant, and all their children: Stanisława, than it is today. Sticking to one’s values when away from home is not easy - it
eight, Barbara, six, Władysław, five, Franciszek, four, Antoni, three, and one requires one adopt a specific attitude, a determination to reject currently
and a half year-old Maria. It is also worth mentioning here the unique Polish promoted ideas, which in many years will probably be very deeply rooted. I'm
saint, John Paul II, who survived World War II and was a witness to the difficult talking about extreme individualism, hedonism, nihilism, playing god, creating
period of post-war communist Poland. His teachings are still alive in the memory your own moral principles and thus falling into relativism, unable to distinguish
of many Poles. John Paul II was not afraid to emphasise teachings that he true good from evil.
considered important and appropriate, despite the communist authorities. And Despite everything, I believe that in the future there will still be many Polish
so, at a meeting with young people in Częstochowa in 1983, he proclaimed: "You souls, supporting their local Church, still valuing their Catholic heritage which
must demand of yourselves, even if others would not demand of you!" while at they see as the way of truth and the path to Heaven, rather than a threat to their
other times he encouraged Poles not to be afraid of being a saint: "It requires autonomy. I trust that Poles abroad will continue to choose authentic values, the
courage not to put your faith under a bushel-basket. In the end, it requires that, values that guided our ancestors and the great saints of the Polish land including
in the hearts of believers, there should abound that desire for holiness which John Paul ll. And why do I think so? Because Poles care passionately about their
not only shapes one’s private life but also influences society as a whole" (Stary faith. It is in their blood.

Oot an Aboot

with Ron Smith

Konstanz Cathedral lake. On the Feast of the Assumption each year, Europe’s
largest ship procession is held on the lake.
At the northern end of the lake, where there is a branch
of the waters, with the mighty Rhine heading off to traverse
ake Konstanz (also known as Constance and Europe, there is a natural corner of land onto which the
particularly if you are Swiss, it is the Bodensee) city of Konstanz was formed. With the growth of the trade
It is the third largest lake in Europe after Lake routes, this grew in size and importance, and several Catholic
LLeman (Geneva) and Lake Balaton (Hungary). The churches were built here, including the massive cathedral.
lake is situated in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Its The first reference to a church here, dedicated to the
shorelines lie in the German states of Bavaria and Baden- Blessed Virgin Mary, was in 615. Then, St Maurice’s Rotunda
Württemberg, the Austrian state of Vorarlberg and the was built in 940 on the orders of Bishop Konrad (934 -
Swiss cantons of Thurgau, St. Gallen, and Schaffhausen. 975) who was canonised in 1123. This was the cathedral
The Rhine flows into the lake from the south, with its which, in 1052, collapsed! Bishop Rumold (1051 - 1069)
original course forming the Austro-Swiss border, and began the reconstruction, which took 300 years! First one
has its outflow on the "Lower Lake" where — except for tower collapsed, then a second, then a great fire destroyed
Schaffhausen — it forms the German-Swiss border until another tower and parts of the basilica and 96 houses. The
the city of Basel. south tower was eventually completed in 1378.
The lake is 63 kilometres long, 14 kilometres wide at its From 1414 to 1418 the great Council of Constance was
extremes and covers 536 square kilometres, with a maximum hosted in the cathedral. This was the most important
depth of 251 metres and an average depth of 90 metres. council of the Middle Ages. The council ended the Western
Interestingly, in the early 19th century, the states around Schism by deposing or accepting the resignation of the
the lake each had their own time. Konstanz kept Karlsruhe remaining papal claimants and by electing Pope Martin V in
time, Friedrichshafen used Württemberg time, Lindau used 1417. It was the last papal election to take place outside of
Munich time and Bregenz had Prague time, while the Swiss Italy. During the Council, Jan Hus, the radical reformer, was
had their own time - except for Schaffhausen! condemned to death by the secular powers of Konstanz
This is a very interesting area to explore. At least 250,000 who had him burnt alive at the stake.
birds of many varieties over-winter here. There are 45 species From 1418 through to 1525, the cathedral was remodelled
of fish, and around 58,000 boats are registered to use the

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