The General House of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth based at 18 Machiavelli Street in Rome – is one of the few places where Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński came to as the Primate of Poland. The friend of John Paul II corresponded from here, met people, prayed, and worked. “Rome is a joyful grace,” said the Primate of the Millennium, who also had the opportunity to meet Pius XII.
During his first visits to Rome, Card. Wyszyński stayed at the house of the Sisters of Nazareth in Rome. In the archives of the house, dated 4th April 1951, it was written: “Many religious congregations applied to host the distinguished Guest, but Your Excellency chose the House of Nazareth in Machiavelli, where he stayed with Rt Rev. Michał Klepacz and Rt Rev. Antoni Baraniak. The Mother General and the entire Council waited for the Archbishop’s arrival, assisting at the first supper ”.
The Primate of the Millennium stayed with the sisters from 4th April to 1st May 1951. – Cardinal Wyszyński did not have time for unnecessary discussions, and there was no question of rest. He was a man of work – explains Marian Romaniuk, an expert on the life of Cardinal Wyszyński and the author of many books about his life and ministry.
At that time, there was also an important meeting between the Primate and Pope Pius XII. From that moment on, the position of Stefan Wyszyński in the Vatican strengthened from year to year ”.
Via Machiavelli 18, photo credit_Amata Nowaszewska CSFN (3)It must be admitted that the visit of Card. Wyszyński was well received by the Holy See. -The Pope blessed Cardinal Wyszyński for further activities for the Catholic Church in Poland. Pius XII also knew about the arrest of the primate by the communist government. He even organized a diplomatic conference in Rome and, at the end of the meeting, issued a firm communiqué setting out his position. It is worth noting that in the years 1953-1956 the Holy See received 2,000 telegrams supporting Cardinal Wyszyński – explains Marian Romaniuk.
Cardinal Wyszyński came to Rome in 1957. He usually came to the Eternal City by train. He explained that during such a journey, he had more time to look out the window at the world, introduce himself to a different reality, pray and think. Each of his visits was a great event. From 8th May to 17th June 1957, the priest also stayed in the house of the Sisters of Nazareth. This visit was preceded by exceptional circumstances. Let us remind you that a year earlier the Primate of the Millennium left prison and began the work of the Great Novena. The Italian media was therefore interested in his presence in Rome. The house of the Sisters of Nazareth was often visited by journalists and reporters.
The Mother General decided to prepare a room for the Cardinal on the first floor, next to the library. The sisters wanted to provide him with peace and comfort. The cardinal could stay in silence, he had the opportunity to receive guests and conduct talks. -In the house of the sisters, the Primate of the Millennium talked to, for example, Maria Winowska, a writer, essayist, author of books, incl. publications about St. Maksymilian Kolbe – explains Marian Romaniuk. Wyszyński was able to correspond with the whole world without fear of censorship. – Correspondence outgoing from Miodowa Street in Warsaw was strictly controlled by the communist authorities – adds Romaniuk.
In the home of the Sisters of Nazareth, Cdl. Wyszyński was treated with love and empathy. “The Mother General emphasized that we should not only value these Guests as the highest Dignitaries of the Church in Poland, but as Martyrs and souls very dear to God, who suffered so much for God,” the sisters wrote in their archives.
During his visit to Rome, the Pope presented Wyszyński with a cardinal’s zucchetto. It should be mentioned that in 1952 Pius XII incorporated him into the College of Cardinals, but by the decision of the communist government, the cardinal could not leave Poland.
On 22nd May 1957, Card. Wyszyński visited the Pontifical Polish Institute, which in the following years will become his Roman residence – a place of hard work, meetings, and prayer.
