Monastery - Cathedral Mariavites Complex
Behind the Dobrzyń gate, in the suburb called Jerusalem suburb, from the 13th century to 1775, there was the St.Philip and Jacob's Chapel, visited in great number during holidays of the patrons. in 1887, in the manor house, which was located at this place, Feliksa Kozłowska took up residence, along with several sisters of the secret Congregation of St. Clara's Poor Sisters, with very strict rule. They lived by production of lingerie and embroidery.
In 1893, sister Feliksa had a revelation called the Work of the Great Mercy, which started the Mariavitism, a new religious movement. It indicated the path to saving the world by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and worship of the Heavenly Mother of Incessant Assistance. Under her effect, the congregation of Priests Mariavites was established, Jan Maria Michał Kowalski was selected as the superior. Intensive pastoral and charity work, masses celebrated in the Polish language, began to attract the faithful. in 1902, Mother Kozłowska purchased the occupied premises . in the period 1903 -1906, efforts were made to obtain permission for new congregation, however, finally Pope Pius X excommunicated founders. In response, independent Catholic Church of Mariavites was established. at the same time, the tsarist authorities considered the existence of the Church as lawful. in 1909, the Mariavities were admitted to the Utrecht Union of Old Catholic Churches, and priest J. M. M. Kowalski received bishop orders. The Mommy - Feliksa Maria Franciszka Kozłowska deceased in 1921, and the authority was taken by archbishop Kowalski. Later, the stormy history resulted in a split in 1934. During World War 2, archbishop J. M. M. Kowalski and many clericals were killed in Nazi camps.
In the period 1911-1914, on the initiative of Mommy, on the plot purchased by her , a cathedral and a monastery were erected. It is an impressive, extensive sacred complex with a three-aisle cathedral basilica with tapering towers and square cupola over the presbytery and wings of the monastery, creating two yards. The Neo-Gothic building was designed by a talented architect-amateur Jan Maria Kowalski, with professional assistance of other Mariavaite clericals, having technical knowledge. The decor of the interior is also of Gothic character. Main altar is a confession of the founder who was buried under the presbytery. From the side of the Vistula River a decorative and fruit garden was arranged. The embroidery workroom operating until War World 2 was famous for a high artistic level.
Płock and the cathedral – the Temple of God's Mercy and Love is a center of the Old Catholic Church of Mariavites that gathers in Poland ca. 30 000 faithful in 36 parishes. It operates also in Paris, in the USA and Canada (more than 100 000), and other countries. Among many Christian streams in the world, the Mariavitism is the only of Polish roots.
Curiosity!
At the back of the complex of Mariavites, on steep slope of the scarp a wide cave is located.
