Jan Góra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jan Góra |
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Jan Góra, 2010
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| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Order | Dominican Order |
| Personal | |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Born | February 8, 1948 Prudnik, Poland |
| Died | December 21, 2015 (aged 67) Poznań, Poland |
| Cause of death | Cardiac arrest |
| Religious career | |
| Ordination | 8 June 1974 |
Jan Wojciech Góra (born February 8, 1948 – died December 21, 2015) was a Catholic priest from the Dominican Order. He was also a teacher and helped students as a chaplain.
Since 1997, he organized a big meeting for young people called Lednica 2000. It took place near Lednica Lake in Poland. He also organized special days in Prudnik to honor Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. Jan Góra helped run a special center for students in Jamna. He wrote many books and articles.
About Jan Góra
Jan Góra was born in Prudnik, Poland. His father, Stanisław, worked as an accountant. Jan had two brothers, Roman and Stanisław. He went to high school in Prudnik.
In 1966, he joined the Dominican Order at St. Michael's Church in Prudnik. From 1967 to 1974, he studied at the Dominican College in Kraków. From 1977 to 1987, he was a chaplain for high school students in Poznań. After 1987, he became a chaplain for university students in Poznań.
He started his work with young people by organizing summer meetings in Ustronie-Hermanice. In 1991, he helped organize the 6th World Youth Day at Jasna Góra. The famous hymn "Abba Ojcze" was written for this meeting. In 1992, he created a chaplaincy center called "Dom Świętego Jacka" on Jamna Mountain. Later, with help from Pope John Paul II, he built the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Unfailing Hope there.
In 1997, he started the first Polish Youth Meeting Lednica 2000 near Lednica Lake. These meetings have happened every year since then. They usually take place on the first Saturday of June. Since 2004, he also organized Lednica for older people, called Seniors. He founded the Museum of the history of Lednica in Poznań. He also created the John Paul II House on the Lednica Fields. Jan Góra passed away on December 21, 2015, in Poznań, at the age of 67.
Father Jan Góra believed in the idea of "Small Nations." He worked closely with many Catholic and cultural newspapers and publishers.
Lednica 2000 Meetings
The Lednica 2000 meetings are a big yearly gathering for young Polish Catholics. They happen near Gniezno in Pola Lednickie. This area is close to Lednica Lake. Many people believe this is where the first Polish ruler, Mieszko I, was baptized in 966.
Lednica 2000 is the largest regular religious youth meeting in the world. Only meetings attended by the Pope are bigger. Jan Góra started these gatherings in 1997. They have been held every year since then, always on the first Saturday of June.
Pope John Paul II used to send a special message to the young people at Lednica every year. Pope Benedict XVI continued this tradition. Now, Pope Francis also sends a message to the participants.
Awards and Honors
Jan Góra received many awards and honors for his work:
- 1983 – Literary Prize Kościelskich for his book "Mój dom."
- 1996 – Received a special mention in the "Małe Ojczyzny. Tradycja dla przyszłości" contest.
- 1997 – Was given the "GIGANT 97" prize by Gazeta Wyborcza.
- 1998 – Became an Honorary Citizen of Zakliczyn nad Dunajcem Gmina.
- 1999 – Received the Włodzimierz Pietrzak Prize.
- 2001 – Became an Honorary Member of Poznań Town.
- 2001 – Received the Piotr Wawrzyniak Prize.
- 2003 – Was honored with the Prize of "Głos Wielkopolski" and the Great Seal of Poznań Town.
- 2005 – Received the TOTUS prize from the Polish Episcopate.
- 2007 – Became an "Honorary Citizen of Poznań Town."
- 2008 – Was given the Poznań Television Creator Prize.
- 2008 – Became an "Honorary Citizen of Prudnik Town."
- 2009 – Became an "Honorary Citizen of Tarnów County."
- 2010 – Received the European Citizens' Prize.
- 2011 – Was awarded the Order of Polonia Restituta Third Class.
- 2015 – Was awarded the Order of Polonia Restituta First Class.
- 2016 – Received the Decoration of Honor of Prudnik County.
Images for kids
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Góra during the Lednica 2000 meeting, 2010
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Jan Góra's funeral
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A thank you plaque to Jan Góra
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Jan Góra receiving the "Honorary Citizen of Prudnik Town" award, 2008
