The Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of Consolation in Sanok

The Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of Consolation in Sanok is a Roman Catholic community with a long and rich history dating back to the mid-14th century, when Sanok was incorporated into Poland by King Casimir the Great. Between 1372 and 1376, the first church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary was built, which was later handed over to the Franciscans. The church was repeatedly destroyed by fires and was rebuilt between 1632 and 1640. In 1717, the construction of a brick monastery began, which, along with the church, served as the pastoral center of the region for a long time. In 1969, the parish was established, carved out from the territory of the main parish (fara), encompassing the Błonie district and part of the city center. In 2005, the church was recognized as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolation - the Patroness of the Sanok Land. The parish is home to approximately 6,900 faithful, and since 2016, the parish priest has been Fr. Bartosz Pawłowski OFMConv. Architecturally, the parish is characterized by its historic church and Franciscan monastery, which are significant landmarks in the landscape of Sanok. In terms of cultural activities, the parish organizes various celebrations, including feast days and religious events, with the most significant being the Feast of Our Lady of Consolation, celebrated on the second Sunday of May. The parish carries out numerous charitable and social initiatives, such as the Catholic Specialist Counseling Center, an after-school club for children, the Parish Caritas, and various parish groups, including the Living Rosary and Catholic Action. An interesting fact is the history of the parish's publications, which began with the magazine "Słówko," published from 1993 to 2000, and later continued by the weekly "Głos Ziemi Sanockiej." Additionally, the program "Katolicki kwadrans" (Catholic Quarter-Hour), broadcast by Radio Bieszczady, became a platform for the Franciscan community, promoting the parish's activities. The parish integrates the local community and serves as an important cultural and religious element of the city of Sanok.