Wiara katolicka jako element tożsamości narodowej na wychodźstwie na przykładzie Polaków w Kazachstanie w latach 1936–1990

In the article entitled “Catholic Faith as an Element of National Identity in Exile on the Example of Poles in Kazakhstan in 1936–1990”, the importance of faith and Catholic religion in the preservation of the national identity of Poles who have been deported, and subsequent generations born and brought up abroad has been presented. The Catholic Church in its universality also contains certain elements brought by particular nationalities, thus contributing to the transfer of cultural and national values, as was the case with the Polish population deported by the Soviet authorities in the 30s and 40s of the twentieth century. The loyalty to the Catholic faith, passed on to next generations, contributed to the preservation of national identity by the young generations of Poles. Prayers, religious books, religious literature, as well as nativity plays, prayed and written in Polish, often became textbooks of the native language. Special devotion to the Mother of God and related to it services were another element of shaping Polish identity in the young generation. Especially older generations, namely grandparents and Polish priests operating in the Soviet Union, were particularly concerned about conveying Polish identity. It is their commitment that contributed largely to preservation of Polish identity and Catholic faith among the young generation despite ubiquitous atheization and russification.