Matka Kolumba Białecka (1838-1887)

The Dominican order was established by St. Dominic in 1216 for the defence of faith through teaching. It played an enormous role not only directly in the life of the Universal Church, but also in the general spiritual and intellectual development. The principal end of its apostleship is to preach the glory of God and salvation of people. It is interesting to look at the history of the Dominican charisma in Poland, especially in the life of St. Dominic's spiritual daughter, the Venerable Mother Kolumba Białecka. This paper discusses therefore the history of Dominican sisters in Poland and presents Kolumba Białecka and her order-making mission against this backdrop. Then it shows the meaning of her religious name "Kolumba”, and Białecka's family home. Mother Kolumba Białecka endowed the Church with this type of religiousness tha is fulfilled in the service for neighbours through one's own striving after perfection. It is a family initiative that stems from Polish spirituality and needs. At the same time it refers to the purest patterns of Dominican spirituality. The religious order established by the Venerable Mother Kolumba Białecka is effective today not only in Poland, but it is developed in various countries on four continents.