The American Czestochowa – the spiritual center of the Polish community in the United States – became on September 21, 2025, the site of an event of exceptional historical significance. For the first time as President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki arrived there with his wife, First Lady Marta Nawrocka. The visit carried both religious and patriotic meaning, and thousands of Poles from across the USA traveled to the Doylestown sanctuary.
The ceremonies began with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque dedicated to Prime Minister Jan Olszewski – the first head of government after Poland’s political transformation. The plaque, funded at the initiative of the Smolensk Anniversary Committee, was placed in the vestibule of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Its unveiling held particular importance in the jubilee year of the American Czestochowa, which celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding.
After the ceremony, President Nawrocki, accompanied by his wife Marta, participated in a solemn Holy Mass. The presidential couple was welcomed on behalf of the Smolensk Anniversary Committee – which initiated the installation of the plaque honoring Prime Minister Jan Olszewski – by Chief Commander of SWAP, Tadeusz Antoniak. A welcoming address was also given by Fr. Krzysztof Wieliczko, who greeted the presidential couple as well as the honored guests and the faithful gathered in the sanctuary.
The Mass with President Karol Nawrocki and his wife Marta was concelebrated by Bishop Witold Mroziewski, accompanied by the Provincial of the Pauline Fathers in the USA, Fr. Krzysztof Wieliczko, as well as representatives of the clergy. The liturgy was enriched by the beautiful singing of the Polonia Choir and Orchestra under the direction of Dominik Grzyb.
In his homily, Bishop Mroziewski referred to the spiritual and national dimension of the American Czestochowa, highlighting its role as a place where Poles seek strength and support in prayer, and as a guardian of Polish national memory and tradition. He spoke about patriotism and dedication in serving both God and the homeland.
The Mass was attended by numerous representatives of Polish state authorities and the Polish-American community, including ministers from the Chancellery of the President of Poland, ministers from the government of Jan Olszewski – Antoni Macierewicz and Jan Parys – Deputy Chargé d’Affaires of the Polish Embassy, Dorota Markiewicz-Zemke, Consul General Mateusz Sakowicz, former ambassador Anna Maria Anders, acting President of the Institute of National Remembrance Karol Polejowski, members of the Siberian Exiles Association, representatives of the Polish diaspora, veterans’ organizations, Polish supplementary schools, and many key institutions of Polish-American life in the USA.
After the Mass, in the festival pavilion, a meeting was held between the president and representatives of the Polish community. Karol Nawrocki thanked Poles in the United States for their engagement in national life and their participation in the presidential elections. “The fact that I am President of Poland today was also made possible thanks to you – Poles living in the United States,” he emphasized. President Nawrocki pointed out the three exceptional dimensions of the American Czestochowa: spiritual, national, and historical. It is here that Poles pray before the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa, and here they also honor national heroes whose monuments stand on the sanctuary grounds. The president reminded listeners that U.S. Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan also visited this place, recognizing its importance for Polish-Americans and Polish-American relations.
A tradition of presidential meetings with the Polish diaspora is the honoring of distinguished activists. For outstanding service in diplomacy, state and public activity, and achievements in commemorating the history, struggles, and martyrdom of the Polish Nation, Anna Maria Anders was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. Additional presidential decorations were bestowed upon Tadeusz Antoniak, Janusz Romański, Grzegorz Tymiński, Fr. Karol Jarząbek, Aleksandra Ziółkowska-Boehm, Jarosław Kuzemczak, and Angelika Małysa. After the presidential decoration ceremony, Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Dr. Karol Polejowski, honored Aneta Wanda Antoniak and Tadeusz Antoniak with the Golden Medal “Reipublicae Memoriae Meritum” for their efforts in uniting the Polish diaspora and preserving national memory.
At the conclusion of the meeting, all gathered joined in singing “Boże, coś Polskę,” creating an atmosphere of unity and deep emotion.
After the ceremonies, the presidential couple laid a wreath at the Avenger Monument – a work by sculptor Prof. Andrzej Pityński, Knight of the Order of the White Eagle and creator of many significant monuments commemorating Polish history in Poland and abroad.
Text: Katarzyna Ziółkowska
Photos: Foundation Archives