„To provide the country with brave, enlightened citizens.” Rev. Antoni Ludwiczak (1878–1942) – A socially engaged educator

Abstract

The aim of the article is to present the figure and socio-educational achievements of rev. Antoni Ludwiczak – an educator, social activist and politician from Greater Poland. The sketch presents the life of this clergyman, who came from the lower classes, and the main directions of his social activity, in which he successfully combined Christian, patriotic and civic values. Ludwiczak is currently known mainly as the founder of the first Polish folk high school, which is why the study places emphasis on other directions of his social and educational work. The author emphasizes that Rev. A. Ludwiczak is an example of a socially engaged Catholic clergyman of the “new times”, acting in accordance with the postulates contained in the Encyclical “Rerum Novarum” of Leo XIII from 1891.