Idea narodu, państwa i polskości w działalności kaznodziejskiej i publicystycznej księdza Nikodema Cieszyńskiego

The life and creative output of Rev. Nikodem Ludomir Cieszyński (1886-1942) was marked by significant events in the life of the Polish nation and state. He was born in 1886 in Koźmin but his entire pastoral ministry was connected with Poznań where he was ordained to priesthood in 1910. His activity as preacher and journalist developed in the period of national captivity, the events of the Great War and the times of interwar Poland. Subsequent significant events in the life of the Polish nation and state found their reflection in the writings of Rev. Cieszyński. His homilies, journalism, and above all editorship of the ,,Roczniki Katolickie" ("Catholic Annuals") - an exceptional case in Polish ecclesial historiography - made up a large part of his activity. The regaining of independence by Poland in 1918 was portrayed by him as an extraordinary event, the intervention of Divine Providence – hence such a prominent role of the idea of a Catholic  Poland in his writings. To this idea he remained faithful until the end of his life, which similarly to many Polish priests was terminated by the tragic events of the Second World   War.