"Pilgrimage of Hope" in the Life and Charism of Sister Barbara Stanisława Samulowska D.C.
Szczepan Szpoton
Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow , Polandhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2609-256X
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the understanding and implementation of hope within the Vincentian charism, as exemplified by the life and ministry of the Servant of God, Sr. Barbara Samulowska. Referring to the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul and the spirituality of the Daughters of Charity, the author presents hope as a reality closely linked to Divine Providence. Saint Vincent identifies Providence as the source of hope and emphasizes the importance of fidelity to one’s vocation and trust in God’s guidance. From this perspective, hope is dynamic and active—it is expressed in daily life, ministry, and cooperation with God’s plan of salvation. By living out her missionary charism in Guatemala, Sr. Samulowska becomes a witness to a “pilgrimage of hope” rooted in faith and sensitivity to the needs of others. Her life demonstrates that Vincentian hope takes on an incarnate form—becoming tangible through concrete acts of mercy and care for the human person.
Keywords:
hope, Barbara Samulowska, Divine Providence, Vincentian charism, active hopeReferences
Benedykt XVI. 2007. Encyklika Spe salvi. Kraków: Wydawnictwo M. (= SS).
Brzozowski, Kazimierz. 2009. “Sługa Boża Siostra Barbara Samulowska: Wizjonerka z Gietrzwałdu.” Salvatoris Mater 11 (1): 143‒50.
Cantalamessa, Raniero. 2022. Pasterze i Rybacy: Rekolekcje dla biskupów, księży i wiernych świeckich. Translated by Krzysztof Stopa. Kielce: Jedność.
Cybula, Hanna. 2006. “Siostra Barbara Stanisława Samulowska Siostra Miłosierdzia 1865‒1950.” Echo Zgromadzenia: 90‒100.
Famvin (website). n.d. The Vincentian Family Information Network. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://famvin.org/.
Franciszek. 2022. List z okazji Jubileuszu Roku 2025 (November 2, 2022). Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.vaticannews.va/pl/papiez/news/2022–02/list-papieza-franciszka-z-okazji-jubileuszu-roku-2025.html.
Leon Wielki. 1957. Mowy. Translated by Kazimierz Tomczak. Pisma Ojców Kościoła 24. Poznań: Księgarnia św. Wojciecha.
Lipiński, Michał, Adam Sejbuk, and Szczepan Szpoton, eds. 2024. Misja, miłosierdzie formacja: Filary duchowości i działalności św. Wincentego a Paulo. Kraków: UNUM. (Crossref)
Oddane Bogu dla służenia Ubogim: Konstytucje i statuty Sióstr Miłosierdzia Świętego Wincentego a Paulo. 2004. Kraków: WITKM. (= K).
Perfezione evangelica: Tutto il pensiero di san Vincenzo de’ Paoli esposto con le sue parole. 1983. 3rd ed. Roma: Centro Liturgico Vincenziano. (= PE).
Pranga, Małgorzata. 2024. Wszystko z miłości do Jezusa i Maryi. Kraków: WITKM.
Ryszka, Czesław. 2004. Łaska objawień: Barbara Samulowska z Gietrzwałdu. Olsztyn: Fundacja Przyjaciół Matki Bożej Gietrzwałdzkiej.
Wincenty a Paulo. 2015. Listy, konferencje, dokumenty. Vol. 1. Translated by Józef Kapuściak, edited by Pierre Coste. Kraków: WITKM.
Wincenty a Paulo. 2017. Listy, konferencje, dokumenty. Vol. 11. Translated by Józef Kapuściak, edited by Pierre Coste. Kraków: WITKM.
Wincenty a Paulo. 2018. Listy, konferencje, dokumenty. Vol. 12. Translated by Józef Kapuściak, edited by Pierre Coste. Kraków: WITKM.
Wincenty a Paulo. 2019. Listy, konferencje, dokumenty. Vol. 10. Translated by Kazimiera Potok, edited by Pierre Coste. Kraków: WITKM.
Wincenty a Paulo. 2023. Listy, konferencje, dokumenty. Vol. 7. Translated by Józef Kapuściak, edited by Pierre Coste. Kraków: WITKM.
Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The author(s) grant (s) to the Licensee a non-exclusive and royalty-free license in accordance with the provisions of the Appendix: LICENSE TO USE THE WORK
