The Congregation of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ had its origins in France in the first half of the 19th century (the order itself was founded in Rome). Bogdan Jański, Piotr Semenenko, and Hieronim Kajsiewicz, considered the founders of the congregation, were the first members of this community and simultaneously active advocates for the Polish cause abroad during the Great Emigration. The Congregation aimed to help compatriots living abroad, as well as Poles in the country, not only in material terms but primarily in the spiritual context.
Over time, mainly due to the departure of key activists and initiators to study in Italy, the activities of the Congregation were transferred to Rome. It focused primarily on places such as Caffè Greco, the Odescalchi Palace, and the monastery of the Resurrectionist Fathers at Via San Sebastianello 11, which ultimately became the central point of life for the Polish emigration in the capital of Italy. The main goal and object of the Congregation’s activities, both in the past and present, are pastoral service, the re-Christianization of Europe, the creation and development of a Christian social system, societal rejuvenation, and the promotion of the need for personal “resurrection” while supporting society in this process.
Currently, the Congregation functions as an international community, serving the Church in various countries, including Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Israel, Canada, Poland, Slovakia, Tanzania, Ukraine, the USA, Italy, and Bermuda. The main areas of the Resurrectionists’ activities include parish work, educational processes under the motto “Truth and Love”, missionary work, seminaries, communities, and academic scholarships. Additionally, the Congregation is involved in publishing through its publishing house, “ALLELUJA”, established in 1998 at the General House in Rome. This publishing house is the publisher of the Monthly Magazine of Consecrated Life “Via Consecrata” and religious books. Furthermore, the Congregation gathers cultural and artistic values, preserving historical traditions associated with its organization and key representatives, especially their activities in support of Poland’s independence after the January and November uprisings. An example of this is the Museum of the Congregation of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Rome, functioning at the General House, also serving as the subject of intervention in the proposed project evaluation.