History of Domus Mater

“Mother House” (the Motherhouse) is the first monastery of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in Poland.

It was founded on 31 March 1928 under Fr Kazimierz Wiecheć, the congregation’s first Polish member. After studying and working in Italy, he returned to Poland and settled in Kraków at the retired priests’ home, 10 Św. Marka Street. By decision of Kraków’s Metropolitan Archbishop, Fr Adam Cardinal Sapieha, Kraków-Płaszów was chosen for the future monastery. In autumn 1928, Fr Kazimierz moved to a rented house at 7 Koszykarska Street and began pastoral work.

In 1929, the Kraków City Council granted the Priests of the Sacred Heart a plot on Saska Street. Construction began in 1930; the foundation stone was blessed in September. Progress was rapid, and the priests moved into the new house in 1931. That November, the Cichoń family donated a 15th-century image of the Virgin Mary, solemnly brought into the church. It is now venerated as Our Lady of Płaszów – Mother of Blessed Motherhood.

In 1932, the Minor Seminary, a secondary school for boys, opened beside the monastery and parish. The community grew, but World War II began in September 1939. At the occupation’s start, the monastery sheltered displaced people; on 25 March 1940, the Wehrmacht took it over, stationing German soldiers and the so-called Blue Police there. After the war, a second wing was added. In 1952, communist authorities established a hospital for mentally ill women in the monastery buildings, later renamed a children’s psychiatric hospital. The priests then had access to only one floor.

Notably, between 1950 and 1978 the monastery repeatedly hosted the then Bishop, Archbishop and Cardinal Karol Wojtyła.

Major changes followed Poland’s fall of communism. In 1993, the monastery became the Priests of the Sacred Heart’s property again. Its devastated building and grounds were returned to the congregation’s apostolic work.

From 2009 to 2013, the entire facility was thoroughly modernized. It gained another floor, an adapted basement, new lobbies and circulation areas. Religious authorities designated part of the former monastery for a future Pilgrim House. Kraków’s renovation was led by Fr Grzegorz Kurzaj; the province was represented by then Provincial Economer Fr Zdzisław Kozioł and Fr Ireneusz Kmieć. This followed years preparing documentation and securing required permits. In September 2012, Provincial Superior Fr Artur Sanecki entrusted Fr Włodzimierz Płatek with organizing the building’s structure and furnishings for future community and business activities; Fr Tomasz Wierzbicki became his collaborator. Intensive work continued as project funds steadily diminished.

In January 2013, the religious community returned to the house. Domus Mater opened on 28 February 2013. Besides pilgrim and tourist accommodation, it housed ministries including the Family Health Centre, which organized marriage-preparation courses, psychological and family counselling, confession and spiritual direction for engaged couples, spouses and widows/widowers, support for parents of a “lost child”, and spiritual adoption. A NaProTechnology counselling centre also operated there, as did the “Transplantation YES” ministry and Talent Ministry for Entrepreneurs and Employers. Priestly retreats were organized. Bishop Jan Zając solemnly blessed the house on 13 October.

Fr Professor Stanisław Cardinal Nagy, longtime friend and adviser to St John Paul II, was raised, studied, worked academically and lived for many years in the present Domus Mater premises. On opening day (28.02.2013), he gave the first director, Fr Włodzimierz Płatek, a faithful copy of Our Lady of Płaszów – Blessed Motherhood, now in the reception lobby, entrusting this new Priests of the Sacred Heart work to Mary’s care. His memory was commemorated beyond living memories by Domus Mater’s Memorial Room, opened on 5 June 2014, the first anniversary of his death. Among its personal belongings and mementos are the late Cardinal’s most treasured possessions, including correspondence with his friend Karol Wojtyła – St John Paul II.

Over the following years, Domus Mater welcomed more and more Guests, visiting our House, Kraków and the surrounding area. In 2014, the building at 3 Przewóz Street, the so-called White House, joined Domus Mater and was adapted for its hostel section. In 2015, Domus Mater was nominated for HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2015 HRS DEALS. Each year, the leading American travel portal TRIPADVISOR recognizes it as a highly trusted accommodation and conference facility. In 2019, further changes followed: in June, the property was classified as the DOMUS MATER*** hotel.