Zurich Swiss http://order-of-st-stanislas.org Home The Order of Saint Stanislas The webpage of the Grand Master Menu Welcome Introduction Order of St.S. St.Stanislas Grand Magistry First Grand Master Chivarly History Contact Activity World Investitures Investitures-Galery Plankenstein 2008 Warsaw 2008 Naples-Napoli 2008 Sosnowiec-2008 London-2008 Plankenstein-2007 Godów-Kalków-2007 Skałka-2007 Activity Reports Publications Mimic Orders-Medals Priories - Links Priories in Poland Warsaw Germany N.America Canada New Zealand Spain New Year's Speech of the Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas Count Jan Zbigniew Potocki G.C.C.St.S. December 31, 2009 Dea Dear members of the Grand Magistry, Grand Priors, Priors, Commanders, respectable Dames and Chevaliers of the Order of St. Stanislas, and sympathizers of our organization. Standing here in Front of You, I am aware of great responsibility placed on me by Prince Juliusz Nowina-Sokolnicki, who, as his last will, handed over the duties of the Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas to me. Respecting his decision I have taken on the challenge, especially in the face of growing expectation for positive changes in life of the organization among its members. With restitution of the Order of St. Stanislas, the tradition of investitures has been resumed. During those very special ceremonies, each postulant recommended to the Grand Master by a given Prior, fully aware and voluntarily do affirm loyalty, swear her faithfulness to the idea of the Order and obedience to the Grand Master. It is the first time that I have the privilege to meet You on the New Year's Eve as the Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas, it is a special occasion for expressing my best wishes, but also for reflection on the past year, and on the future. We are facing a tremendous opportunity. The Chevaliers and Dames of the Order have recently expressed their strong desire for changes and actions which would lead to strengthening the prestige of the Order and restoring proper significance of moral standards in our life. We may not abandon this hope! While talking about the need for the moral order, we should mention what John Paul II said in Skoczów on May 22, 1995, about the conscience as the moral foundation. The Pope taught that conscience—our integral guide and judge of our times—is essential for each human being. It is then crucial to keep it righteous so that its judgments are based on the truth. Saint Stanislas based the moral order not only on the truth, but also on justice and mercy. As Dames and Chevaliers of the order of St. Stanislas let us also follow this path by providing care to those who are poor and need our assistance in various forms. Let our actions inspire others to become chevaliers of the order of this great martyr and hero of our polish history. Our Order must become a strong and resilient organization again. I want to ensure You, dear Dames and Chevaliers, that I shall do my best to achieve that purpose. This year we have celebrated the 30th anniversary of reactivation of our Order, and it took place in Częstochowa—a place of historical significance for Poland. We derive a lot of satisfaction from our achievements and experience gained during those 30 years. Our community has grown to almost 3,800 members in all parts of the world. Dames and Chevaliers! We should persevere in strengthening the importance of our Order around the world, protecting its reputation, and, at the same time, fighting with intolerance, discrimination or injustice. We should strive to see a friend in another person, so that through mutual respect we inspire each other to charitable activities, maintaining sensitivity to suffering of others. I promise to make sure that the Order does not forfeit those opportunities; that we are appreciated and respected as a solid pillar of worldwide community. A few days ago, together with two other members of the Grand Magistry, I had an honor to accept on behalf of the Order of St. Stanislas from Chevalier Willy Doms the right to use the Trademark that protects legal use of the name "Order of St. Stanislas" in all versions, translations or abbreviations. It is my duty to ensure that those rights are kept within the competence of the Grand Magistry representatives and serve exclusively for the benefit of the Order. By using my constitutional rights, I feel obliged to assure the Order's sovereignty, so that it becomes the only one legal international Order of St. Stanislas. Let me, however, stress that we are open to dialog with all order-like groups using the "Order of St. Stanislas" mark illegally. The Sovereign Privat Order of St. Stanislas wishes to point out the proliferation all over the world of bodies and associations which, using symbols and names not unlike those of the Order, are trying to represent themselves as legitimate and recognized Orders of Saint Stanislas. Besides creating misunderstanding and confusion, they hurt the good will the Order. Those Mimic Order Organisations have no connection whatsoever with the Sovereign Privat Order of Saint Stanislas whose headquarters is located in Zurich, and Warsaw. Let us forget about the past, let us join our efforts and build one common Order which has a chance to become one of the strongest charitable organizations of this kind in the world. In the spring next year there will be a general meeting of all members of the Grand Magistry, Grand Priors, Priors, Commanders and members of the Order of St. Stanislas, where we will discuss matters pertaining to the future of the Order, Grand Magistry, activities of the Priories and Commanderies, as well as member related matters. All will be inform soon about it from a separate announcement. We cordially invite all who are interested to the headquarters of the Order of St. Stanislas in Switzerland and to the office of the Grand Master which has recently been opened in Warsaw. Taking the opportunity I would like to thank those Chevaliers and Dames who helped me in the difficult first months of serving as the Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas. My special gratitude goes to those who stood by me loyally and selflessly offering their advice, assistance and time. Let me express special gratitude to the Grand Commissioner Willy Doms and the Grand Councillor Herbert Class from the Belgian Priory for their unique selfless involvement and assistance provided to the Grand Master. We look to the future with great optimism. We are the only one rightful Order of St. Stanislas in the world. I proudly emphasize that our position is getting stronger and stronger and the same can be said about our relationship with the church, especially in Poland. We must however still strive earnestly to be better and more effective both on the Pan-European scale and in individual regions. Without you own involvement, without your own participation in the efforts for the sake of the Order, the huge positive change we dream about may prove to be a failure. That is why we must prove as never before that we are a strong community of people of goodwill. The community interwoven by bonds of solidarity. Dear Dames and Chevaliers! On behalf of the Order of St. Stanislas, but also on behalf of myself, I would like to wish you the best for the New Year. I wish you, your family's, your friends and your local communities of the Order, the good luck. Let 2010 prove to be a year of genuine solidarity. Let us find as much satisfaction as possible from providing assistance to others and from the spirit of sharing with others. Let this new year prove to be peaceful and secure. Let it bring you a lot of success and satisfaction. But above all, let it provide you with the conviction that in this huge human family it is possible to be real sisters and brothers, who at any time, whether good or bad, can rely on each other. I wish you all the best! Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas Count Jan Zbigniew Potocki. >>> polish version Top CopyrightGrand Master 2009. All Rights Reserved by the Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas Zürich/Switzerland. No part of this copyrighted website may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the copyright holder, including distribution via electronic means such as e-mails or Internet. All third party content is used under licence of Webmaster of the Order of St. Stanislas.
The webpage of the Grand Master
December 31, 2009
Dear members of the Grand Magistry, Grand Priors, Priors, Commanders, respectable Dames and Chevaliers of the Order of St. Stanislas, and sympathizers of our organization.
Standing here in Front of You, I am aware of great responsibility placed on me by Prince Juliusz Nowina-Sokolnicki, who, as his last will, handed over the duties of the Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas to me. Respecting his decision I have taken on the challenge, especially in the face of growing expectation for positive changes in life of the organization among its members.
With restitution of the Order of St. Stanislas, the tradition of investitures has been resumed. During those very special ceremonies, each postulant recommended to the Grand Master by a given Prior, fully aware and voluntarily do affirm loyalty, swear her faithfulness to the idea of the Order and obedience to the Grand Master.
It is the first time that I have the privilege to meet You on the New Year's Eve as the Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas, it is a special occasion for expressing my best wishes, but also for reflection on the past year, and on the future.
The Chevaliers and Dames of the Order have recently expressed their strong desire for changes and actions which would lead to strengthening the prestige of the Order and restoring proper significance of moral standards in our life.
We may not abandon this hope!
While talking about the need for the moral order, we should mention what John Paul II said in Skoczów on May 22, 1995, about the conscience as the moral foundation. The Pope taught that conscience—our integral guide and judge of our times—is essential for each human being. It is then crucial to keep it righteous so that its judgments are based on the truth.
Saint Stanislas based the moral order not only on the truth, but also on justice and mercy. As Dames and Chevaliers of the order of St. Stanislas let us also follow this path by providing care to those who are poor and need our assistance in various forms. Let our actions inspire others to become chevaliers of the order of this great martyr and hero of our polish history.
Our Order must become a strong and resilient organization again. I want to ensure You, dear Dames and Chevaliers, that I shall do my best to achieve that purpose.
This year we have celebrated the 30th anniversary of reactivation of our Order, and it took place in Częstochowa—a place of historical significance for Poland. We derive a lot of satisfaction from our achievements and experience gained during those 30 years. Our community has grown to almost 3,800 members in all parts of the world.
Dames and Chevaliers!
We should persevere in strengthening the importance of our Order around the world, protecting its reputation, and, at the same time, fighting with intolerance, discrimination or injustice. We should strive to see a friend in another person, so that through mutual respect we inspire each other to charitable activities, maintaining sensitivity to suffering of others.
I promise to make sure that the Order does not forfeit those opportunities; that we are appreciated and respected as a solid pillar of worldwide community.
A few days ago, together with two other members of the Grand Magistry, I had an honor to accept on behalf of the Order of St. Stanislas from Chevalier Willy Doms the right to use the Trademark that protects legal use of the name "Order of St. Stanislas" in all versions, translations or abbreviations.
It is my duty to ensure that those rights are kept within the competence of the Grand Magistry representatives and serve exclusively for the benefit of the Order.
By using my constitutional rights, I feel obliged to assure the Order's sovereignty, so that it becomes the only one legal international Order of St. Stanislas.
Let me, however, stress that we are open to dialog with all order-like groups using the "Order of St. Stanislas" mark illegally.
The Sovereign Privat Order of St. Stanislas wishes to point out the proliferation all over the world of bodies and associations which, using symbols and names not unlike those of the Order, are trying to represent themselves as legitimate and recognized Orders of Saint Stanislas. Besides creating misunderstanding and confusion, they hurt the good will the Order.
Those Mimic Order Organisations have no connection whatsoever with the Sovereign Privat Order of Saint Stanislas whose headquarters is located in Zurich, and Warsaw.
Let us forget about the past, let us join our efforts and build one common Order which has a chance to become one of the strongest charitable organizations of this kind in the world.
In the spring next year there will be a general meeting of all members of the Grand Magistry, Grand Priors, Priors, Commanders and members of the Order of St. Stanislas, where we will discuss matters pertaining to the future of the Order, Grand Magistry, activities of the Priories and Commanderies, as well as member related matters. All will be inform soon about it from a separate announcement. We cordially invite all who are interested to the headquarters of the Order of St. Stanislas in Switzerland and to the office of the Grand Master which has recently been opened in Warsaw.
Taking the opportunity I would like to thank those Chevaliers and Dames who helped me in the difficult first months of serving as the Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas. My special gratitude goes to those who stood by me loyally and selflessly offering their advice, assistance and time. Let me express special gratitude to
We look to the future with great optimism. We are the only one rightful Order of St. Stanislas in the world. I proudly emphasize that our position is getting stronger and stronger and the same can be said about our relationship with the church, especially in Poland. We must however still strive earnestly to be better and more effective both on the Pan-European scale and in individual regions.
Without you own involvement, without your own participation in the efforts for the sake of the Order, the huge positive change we dream about may prove to be a failure. That is why we must prove as never before that we are a strong community of people of goodwill. The community interwoven by bonds of solidarity.
Dear Dames and Chevaliers!
On behalf of the Order of St. Stanislas, but also on behalf of myself, I would like to wish you the best for the New Year. I wish you, your family's, your friends and your local communities of the Order, the good luck. Let 2010 prove to be a year of genuine solidarity. Let us find as much satisfaction as possible from providing assistance to others and from the spirit of sharing with others. Let this new year prove to be peaceful and secure. Let it bring you a lot of success and satisfaction. But above all, let it provide you with the conviction that in this huge human family it is possible to be real sisters and brothers, who at any time, whether good or bad, can rely on each other. I wish you all the best!
Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas
Count Jan Zbigniew Potocki.
>>> polish version
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CopyrightGrand Master 2009. All Rights Reserved by the Grand Master of the Order of St. Stanislas Zürich/Switzerland. No part of this copyrighted website may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the copyright holder, including distribution via electronic means such as e-mails or Internet. All third party content is used under licence of Webmaster of the Order of St. Stanislas.