The 132nd  Investiture of the Kuyavia in Wloclawek

October  10th, 2009

Polish version

The Investiture weekend of 10 October 2009 of the Kuyavia Priory took place, in historical Polish city Wloclawek, Poland. The weekend kicked off with a splendid Reception and Dinner given by the Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas Jan Zbigniew Count Potocki and his Lady wife Dame Ewa Countess Potocki on the Friday evening at the Aleksander Hotel.

This event was the perfect occasion for old friends to meet up and for new friendships and acquaintances to be made. Everybody were indeed very blessed and privileged this year to be witness of the first Investiture our new Grand Master Jan Zbigniew Count Potocki conducted at  the 132nd  Investiture of the Kuyavia Priory and blessed by so many St Stanislas Companions, Postulants and invited honoured guests coming from far and wide.

The Reception was held in the “Aleksander” Hotel. The Grand Master Jan Zbigniew Count Potocki welcomed everyone to the reception and expressed the hope that everyone would have very memorable and enjoyable time during the Investiture Weekend.

A wonderful feeling of warmth and camaraderie prevailed throughout the evening with everyone mingling together. Conversations were diverse and enlightening.

Next day, Saturday morning, the meeting point for the start of the Investiture at 10^th October 2009 was the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of Mary in Wloclawek .

The atmosphere was full of great anticipation and excitement with everyone resplendent in the mantels of St Stanislas. Our Master of Ceremony Dame Barbara Bromont Slawinska called everyone to order. The Banner of the Staropolska Priory was carried by Chev. Josef Ulinski with  Dame Alicja Mróz and the Banner of Malopolska Priory Marek und Anna Kramarski  and the ceremonial sword by Chev. Marek Kramarski.

The solemn celebration of the mass  took place with HE  Wiesław Alojzy Mering Bishop of Włocławek conducting with other 9 Priests including the Grand Prelate: Chev. Rev. gen. Stanislaw Respodek G.C.St.S. a wonderful mass. In his sermon, he touched on the sense of honour, service to humankind, the spreading of conciliation and peace which underpins the essence of a Companion of the Order of St Stanislas.

Dame Barbara Bromont Slawinska the Prior of Kuyavia opened proceeding with words of welcome to all Companions, Postulants and guests of the Kuyavia Priory.

The Investiture Service proper then took place with  Grand Master Jan Zbigniew Count Potocki, Grand Prior of Poland Dr. Marian Król, Prior of Staropolska Lech Grzybowski, Ambassador at Large and Grand Prior of Swiss Zbigniew Roch, former  Lieutenant of the previous VIII Grand Master Juliusz Nowina Sokolnicki, Waldemar Wilk-Sokolnicki and Chancellor of the Kuyavia Priory Dr. Janusz Slawinski.

Prior of Kuyavia Dame Barbara Bromont Slawinska presenting to the Grand Master Jan Zbigniew Potocki their Postulants to be formally welcomed into the order. The postulant first knelt before Grand Master and was ceremonially welcomed, gentlemen were gently tapped on their shoulder with the ceremonial sword and ladies gently tapped by hand on their head. Following this, their mantels were wrapped round their shoulders, decorations were given and words of welcome into the order of St Stanislas were said by Grand Master Jan Zbigniew Count Potocki all postulants.

In the church and outside, the official Photographer took many photographs of all assembled to ensure that such a special day was suitably marked. Following this all Chevaliers, Dames and Guests went to the Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne Diecezji Włocławskiej in Włocławek where a drinks and snack reception was held to welcome all guest. Culminating event took place Frédéric Chopin piano concerto was inspired by polish pianist, Mr. Zbigniew Marecki. At the end of wonderful ceremony had taken place this Saturday everyone was looking forward with anticipation to the Gala Dinner to take place later that evening. >>> Pictures