Pilgrimage cross

The cross made by Michał Plater-Zyberek during his pilgrimage to Jasna Góra (Częstochowa) in 1980 was a gift for his accompanying wife, Sofia. They were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary, which turned out to be their last. Despite such an important event as the election of Karol Wojtyła as Pope, the policies of the communist authorities in Poland remained anti-religious, and any activities related to the celebration of Catholic holidays and services were unwelcome. It was often denied to organize pilgrimages under the Act on Assemblies of 1962. In addition, the circulation of public transport to pilgrimage centres was restricted, and deliberate obstacles were caused on the roads. The pilgrims were unjustifiably detained by the police and their private vehicles were recorded by the security services. However, this did not prevent society from participating in pilgrimages. Particularly numerous gatherings took place during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Poland. During the pilgrimage, which Plater-Zyberek took part in on the coast, strikes broke out, which led to the conclusion of the August Agreements in four Polish cities and the start of the process of forming “Solidarity”. Michał Plater-Zyberk (1937–1981) was a famous oppositionist from Szczecin and one of the main organizers, as well as the chairman of NSZZ “Solidarność” in the Pomeranian District of State Railways. He served in the chairmanship of the Inter-factory Workers’ Commission of Szczecin, co-founded family counselling in the Diocese of Szczecin-Kamień and co-founded the Szczecin Catholic Club. He organized aid for repressed students (1968) and workers from Ursus and Radom (1976). He was passionate about tourism – since studying at the Szczecin University of Technology he volunteered at PTTK. In 1967, he was suspended as a guide for guiding tours in churches and allowing them to attend masses. Plater-Zyberk died during a skiing trip in Zakopane as a result of an massive heart attack, half a year after the pilgrimage during which he made the presented cross. Since 1986 he has been patron of the Szczecin Catholic Club. In 2006 he was posthumously decorated with the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. Paul Sendra