<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thedialog.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/29093313\/20261029T0855-POLAND-BENEDICTINE-SISTERS-APPEAL-1829132.jpg\" "\\"POLAND")
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\nWARSAW, Poland \u2014 A community of Benedictine nuns in southern Poland has launched an urgent appeal to raise $1 million to complete a heritage preservation project at their 800-year-old abbey by Dec. 31, warning that failure could force it to repay millions in European Union funding.<\/p>\n
The oldest Benedictine abbey in the country is home to priceless cultural heritage pieces, such as the first music notes of Christmas carols ever recorded, but the sisters preserving the masterpieces lead a simple life \u2014 they grow tomatoes, make preserves and welcome guests, doing \u201cwhat they can\u201d to earn a living and maintain the vast monastery entrusted to their care.<\/p>\n
For centuries, generations of Benedictine nuns<\/a> have kept this place alive. Now, the small community faces a challenge that years of hard work cannot resolve.<\/p>\n \u201cHere, simply \u2018tightening our belts\u2019 and denying ourselves many things is not enough,\u201d Mother Stefania Polkowska, the abbess, told OSV News. \u201cWe cannot cope with this situation on our own. It truly is a crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n The Abbey of St. Adalbert in Staniatki, founded in the early 13th century, is Poland\u2019s oldest Benedictine convent, with a history stretching back eight centuries. Behind its walls are centuries-old manuscripts, sacred paintings, liturgical vestments and a remarkable collection of historical musical scores, including early Polish Christmas carols.<\/p>\n The monastery has survived foreign invasions, the partitions of Poland, two world wars and communist rule. Through it all, the Benedictine rhythm of prayer and work has continued.<\/p>\n In 2018, the sisters began an ambitious undertaking called \u201cBenedictine Heritage Cloisters,\u201d intended to preserve their collections and make them accessible to the public. The project includes a museum, library, reading room and spaces for cultural and educational activities.<\/p>\n Many of the abbey\u2019s most valuable objects have remained largely out of public view because the sisters have lacked suitable facilities to display and preserve them. \u201cThe project gives us the opportunity to show this enormous spiritual, religious, historical and cultural heritage, which is currently hidden within the walls of the monastery,\u201d Mother Stefania told OSV News. \u201cWe want to show all of it.\u201d<\/p>\n When the project began, its estimated cost was approximately $2.8 million. Almost $1.8 million came from European Union funds, while the sisters raised the required contribution through donations and their own efforts. Then the problems began.<\/p>\n \u201cAlready in the first stage of construction, problems arose, including water channels running through the construction site that had to be covered with special concrete structures,\u201d Mother Stefania told OSV News. \u201cThis meant additional work and increased costs. There were many more situations like this.\u201d<\/p>\n The unexpected complications forced changes to the construction plans and required additional approvals from the authorities. Before the sisters could overcome those setbacks, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, followed by Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Construction materials and labor became dramatically more expensive.<\/p>\n At the same time, the monastery opened its doors to Ukrainian refugees, providing shelter to women and children fleeing the war, with the help of volunteers. Despite the rising costs, the sisters continued construction, raising money through donations, their own work and the support of volunteers. By October of this year, the total cost had climbed to nearly $7.1 million, more than two and a half times the original estimate.<\/p>\n The project is now close to completion. Electrical and other installations are in place, walls have been plastered and some flooring has been laid. But finishing work, furniture, museum equipment and landscaping are still needed. The community had expected to have until February, and latest June 2027, to complete and settle the project. But an inspection in October revealed that the deadline was Dec. 31.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>Benedictine Heritage Cloisters project<\/h3>\n
Dramatic search for remaining funds<\/h3>\n