Interview with Fr. Stanislaw Zimniak, SDB
ACSSA Secretary General
Sampran, Thailand, 14 February, 2019 -- Interview with Fr Stanislaw Zimniak, who has spent 30 years working in the area of Salesian history.
How long have you been working in this area of Salesian history?
Following the decision of the then Delegate for Poland, Fr Dziedziel, and supported by the Provincial, Fr Adam Smieglewski, I received the obedience to study for the Licentiate in Church History at Lublin Catholic University (Poland), then was sent to Rome to continue my Church history studies at the Gregorian University (Rome). So I was able to earn my Licentiate and Doctoral degree in Church history and from 1990 until now I have been fully dedicated to the ISS (Istituto Storico Salesiano) - Salesian History Institute in Rome.
What makes you joyful in your ministry to Salesian history research?
I feel that my historical research is a very useful work for our Congregation from the scientific and cultural point of view. It is also very interesting, and it is very necessary to hand over our deeper and well-documented knowledge of history to future generations. Personally, I feel the need to cultivate historical memory as a sign of recognition of all those Salesians who preceded us and also as a concrete expression of my love for my neighbour.
Your main achievements in ACSSA (Association of Salesian Historians) and ISS (Salesian History Institute)?
ACSSA came into being on 9 October, 1996, after an initial idea launched in 1993 and an unofficial start in 1995. I was among the founding members of the Salesian Historians Association. Since 2000 I have been the Treasurer and Secretary. That means I am responsible for the organization of all ACSSA Continental Conferences (21 so far!) and World Congresses (6 so far). It also means following up the publications of the 'Acts/Proceedings' of each continental or world level conference.
I have been in different in different countries and archives in Krakow, Warszaw (Poland), Vienna (Austria), Ljublana (Slovenia), Munich and Cologne (Germany) doing historical research and also in the Vatican Archives and of course in our Central Salesian Archives and many SDB local archives.As the result of my work I have been able to publish my work on Fr Pietro Tirone, one of the first key members of the Salesian Congregation in Central Europe who later became also Catechist General. And many other articles and publications related mainly to the study of Salesians at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Main challenges of your ministry in the ACSSA and ISS?
At the beginning they were language challenges, since at home I learned only Russian and German. During the past 30 years no major difficulties, only health limitations and my commitment to be consistent in my obedience. Since I didn’t choose this field of ministry, I often need to make the sacrifice of pushing ahead with it.
What are your dreams for the future?
Each researcher wants his work to have some impact, to help somebody. In the future I would like the ISS (Salesian Historical Institute) to have some more new members, hence to find more satisfactory results.
Although I was able to write some essential biographies, like the historical section of the Positio on Cardinal August Hlond, there are still a lot of still missing materials for a solid biography of Blessed Michael Rua, of the kind written by Fr Peter Braido on Don Bosco. And of course as ISS we are working on the 'Fr Albera project' for the next International Congress in 2021, focused on the Salesian Congregation during Fr Albera's time as Rector Major (1910-1921).
How can we make young Salesians enthusiastic about our history?
We miss people like …. one layman in Slovakia who tries to attract youth through the movement. Stirring up interest in the young about historical Salesian figures ...overcoming resistance among the young… ‘The past is over’ is one bias younger generations have….
How do you see the progress of the EAO Regional ACSSA Conference since 2004?
Yes, I have participated in all 4 EAO regional conferences (2004 Hong Kong, 2008 Batulao, 2013 Cebu and now in Sampran). Some participants are regular appearances at these, there is continuity. ACSSA would like to have continuit. It is not enough to send a different SDB or FMA each time.
Also the EAO Conferences show development - progress in methodology and scientific standards is obviousg. Now more EAO ACSSA members have a better knowledge about how to use biobligraphy, archives and other historiography sources.
However we still lack the involvement of other historians (Church and civil historiography) in the EAO region, to shed light on the Salesian work from other points of view. How to reach them? This time we have invited at least two Thai historians for this reason. I was happy to see that the Proceedings of the previous EAO Conferences have been read by some non-Salesian historians already. It's a joy!
And what about the spirituality of the Salesian historian?
Each Salesian or Salesian Family member who is involved in this ministry should have a cultural sensibility knowing that this field is important, that ‘this kind of work’ is necessary, important for the Congregation and have also a psychologically robust personality, as well as intellectual, linguistic capacity.
But the most important attitude is the empathy for this field: History research is useful for humanity. We need a great passion for Salesian history, including sacrifice and great patience in the lengthy work in archives. Sometimes you are there for long months and you should be not discouraged if you don't get the necessary sources immediately. Without this passion and spirituality it is impossible to be dedicated to this ministry. We do it for the sake of our Salesian mission. It is an integral part of my own vocation!
