Vincentian Priests and Brothers

Chopin Year celebrations start in Holy Cross Church in Warsaw

here rests heart of Frederic Chopin

2010 was proclaimed Chopin Year in Poland to commemorate 200th birthday anniversary of Frederic Chopin, most famous Polish composer and one of the biggest in the world. He was born on February 22, 1810 (some sources say it was on March 1) in Zelazowa Wola near Warsaw. On eve of the birthday anniversary solemn Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated in Holy Cross Church in Warsaw presided by Most Reverend archbishop Henryk Muszynski, Primate of Poland. He preached the homily, too. This Eucharist in the place where Chopin’s heart is laid inaugurated nationwide celebrations of Chopin Year.

Following the Mass was gala concert performed in the upper church of the basilica by Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra conducted by Wojciech Rodek. Soloist was Marc Laforet, 1985 edition of International Chopin Piano Festival prize-winner. They performed Chopin’s concert in F-minor.

: the epitaph in the Holy Cross CHurch over the place where Chopin’s heart is embedded

Today events were held under patronage of Mr.Lech Kaczynski, President of Poland. Some state, government and local officials attended including Very Rev. Arkadiusz Zakręta CM, Visitor of Poland.

Chopin family moved to Warsaw in 1817 when Frederic’s father, a French expatriate, become French teacher in the secondary school called Warsaw Lyceum. First they lived in the Saxon Palace grounds (no longer existing). Then moved to nearby Kazimierz Palace which is in Warsaw University grounds. Finally, in 1827 they moved to Krasinski Palace which is next to Holy Cross church. What is worth to mention, Chopin family were Holy Cross parishioners for all the time they lived in Warsaw. Holy Cross church and parish is the first Vincentian location in Poland since 1653. In this way, Frederic Chopin is one of the most famous Vincentian parishioners in the world.

Chopin died in Paris in 1849 after his family moved there in 1830 in the wake of November uprising in Warsaw. His sister Louise brought Chopin’s heart according to his will. First she kept the relic at her home. In 1878, thanks to efforts of her son, composer’s heart was placed in his former parish church. The heart in glass urn was embedded in the pilar on the left side of the central nave. In 1880 a plaque containing composer torso was put over the urn marking the rank of this place. Chopin’s heart was taken away from the wall during Warsaw uprising and held safely by Msgr Szeligowski of Warsaw who was responisble for churches there. In 1949 the heart returned to his previous place in the Holy Cross Church for good.