Cele Akcji Katolickiej w okresie dwudziestolecia międzywojennego na łamach częstochowskiej "Młodzieży Katolickiej"

Abstract

The tasks of the ‘Młodzież Katolicka’ periodical, which was published as a supplement to the archdiocesan ‘Niedziela’ weekly in 1926-1934, are presented in the article. ‘Młodzież Katolicka’ was a press body of the youth associations of the Catholic Campaign in the archdiocese of Czestochowa. The article points at the origin of the supplement. Its origination resulted not only from the foundation of archdiocese in Czestochowa on October 28, 1925, but also from the social and apostolic activity of the Catholic Church. The main targets of the Catholic Campaign, which opposed the secularization of Catholics and restored the social movement among believers, are also presented. Education of youth, especially the youth that already finished primary schools, was of particular importance in this organization. That is why catholic associations of male youth and catholic associations of female youth, which were a part of the nationwide associations, were founded in dioceses and parishes. The youth organizations in Silesia or in the diocese of Czestochowa held education and priesthood activity. They organized conventions of the associated youth, retreats and trips. They also conducted actions popularizing reading, tourism, sport, agricultural activities and many others. Publications of periodicals were one of the main manifestations of the concern of the Church for the young people. Informing the readers about current activity of the associations of Polish youth was the basic task of the ‘Młodzież Katolicka’ periodical (supplements for girls and boys were published in 1926 and 1927, edited by Rev. Jan Domarańczyk - a social activist, and Rev. Włodzimierz Rosso). That is why a majority of the columns were filled by ads of secretariats, programs of their activity and reports from conventions and priest inspections in the initial period of its activity. The youth was encouraged to work on their personality and was being prepared to fulfill the duties towards Church and nation. They were also recommended invaluable literature - e.g. belles-lettres [novels and dramas], songbooks and periodicals - ‘Młoda Polka’, ‘Przyjaciel Młodzieży’ or ‘Kierownik Młodzieży’. Different materials concerning agricultural education were published in ‘Młodzież Katolicka’ thanks to the last editor of the supplement - Rev. Zygmunt Lipa. Farming advice and encouragements to creation of herbal and flower allotments were published, professional publications were recommended and contests were carried. Sport, abstinent and literary education was carried in a smaller degree. ‘Młodzież Katolicka’ is a typical representation of the so-called good press, which promoted catholic and citizen upbringing.