His speech focused on the Order’s achievements
during last 30 years of its activity. He said: „Learn how
to use your professional values, how to contribute to
innovative ideas, and how to generate energy to help
achieve our goals”. He pointed out that with so many
nationalities present at the investiture, it is truly
proven that the strength of the Order of St. Stanislas
as an organization lays in our ability to come together
despite our differences, differences in language and
culture. He said: This difference is the true and only
strength of our association. I suggest we accept, even
celebrate, our differences. And finally, he expressed
special thanks to the hosts of this investiture for their
sponsorship and their active participation at the
reception. On this day, during the celebrations of the
30th Anniversary of the Restoration of the St. Stanislas
Order, the outgoing Grand Master of the St. Stanislas
Order, Juliusz Count Nowina Sokolnicki, G.C.C.St.S,
because of health reasons, handed the office of Grand
Master under the Statutes and the Constitution of the
Order of St. Stanislas over to the younger Chev. Jan
Zbigniew Count Potocki G.C.C.St.S.The most important incident of this event was the
nomination of the new successor of the Grand Master
of the Order, representing of the reigning
Grandmaster, Chev. Juliusz Nowina Prince Sokolnicki
G.C.C.St.S. after having received the resignation of the
previous acting representative, Chev. Waldemar Wilk
G.C.C.St.S.As the new deputy and successor to the Grand Master,
Chev. Jan Zbigniew Count Potocki G.C.C.St.S., who was
appointed, is a descendant from old Polish nobility.Chev. Waldemar Wilk G.C.C.St.S, personally, in the
presence of over 200 members of the Order from all
over the world, has officially laid down his claim to the
post of Deputy Grand Master and congratulated the
new proposed candidate and future Grand Master of
the Order. Also, the head of the assembly, Chev. Dr.
Marian Król, G.C.C.St.S. presented his congratulations
to Chev. Jan Zbigniew Count Potocki G.C.C.St.S. to his
appointment to the office of the future Grand Master
of the Order. All present accepted with applause the
wise decision of the Grand Master, Juliusz Nowina
Sokolnicki G.C.C.St.S., to take this step because of his
poor physical health.More than two hundred Chevaliers and Dames of the
St. Stanislas Order from Poland, Germany, England,
Austria, Belgium, USA, and Mexico, Australia, New
Zealand attended the Investiture and the banquet.THE L A S T I N V ES TI TU R E OF J U L I U S Z N OW I N A S OK OL N I C K I , V I I I
G R A N D MA S TER OR DER OF S T. S T A N I S L A S , ON T HE DA Y OF THE
30 TH A N N I V ER S A R Y OF TH E R ES TI TU TI ON OF T HE OR DER OF S T.
S TA N I S L A S I N C Z ES T OC H OW A.
St. Stanislas Investiture
May 8th to 10th, 2009
Czestochowa and Krakow
The first weekend of May has been designed to
highlight the event on the 30th anniversary which took
place in Czestochowa and Kraków.
Three splendid days began on Friday 8th of May with
the Ceremonial Holy Mass in honour to the bishop of
St. Stanislas, the Patron Saint of the Order at the
Church of St. Hedwig of Silesia.
The mass was conducted by reverend gen. Stanisław
Respondek, the Chaplain of the Order of St. Stanislas,
and co-celebrated by Fr. Czesław Wala from Kałków-
Godów with assistance of 6 other priests.
The Saturday’s Investiture took place at the Shrine of
Jasna Góra in Czestochowa's Rosary Chapel. The
Investiture was led by Grand Master Count Juliusz
Nowina-Sokolnicki G.C.C.St.S. Other chevaliers and
dames who attended the ceremony were Grand Prior
of Poland dr. Marian Król, new Lieutenant Grand
Master Jan Zbigniew count Potocki, former Lieutenant
Grand Master Waldemar Wilk, Herald of the Order of
St. Stanislas, Chev. Ryszard Komorowski and the Prior
of Małopolska Priory, Prior Jacek Żyrkowski.
The investiture, according to the old tradition, began
by the introduction of new members and guests which
is a part of the continuing efforts to maintain and
enlarge our strong community.
Gentlemen postulants were knighted by the Grand
Master Count Juliusz Nowina-Sokolnicki by touching
with the sword on each shoulder, while the Ladies
were touched by his hand on their head. The
assistants pinned on the insignias and draped the
mantle over the newly installed Knights and Dames
while the Grand Master spoke: “You receive the
mantle of our beloved Order, the symbol of our
brotherhood. Let us love one another, for love is God.”
There were 60 postulants and Chevaliers, and Dames
were promoted at this ceremony. The Grand Prior of
Poland was the first to speak. He recalled the history
of the Order, history of Poland based on the history of
Polish Martyr Bishop Saint. He underlined how
important are the Order’s principles and the
responsibility that require us to help the needy and
unprivileged. The Grand Master was next to speak.