“Truth and Work.” The Role of the Press and Catholic Action Associations in Disseminating Agricultural Knowledge in the Siedlce Diocese in 1930–1939

Abstract

This article contributes to research on the role of the Catholic Action press and associations in disseminating agricultural knowledge in the Siedlce Diocese. The territorial scope of the work encompasses the aforementioned ecclesiastical unit, and within the administrative-state division, the northern area of the Lublin Voivodeship. The chronological framework, however, defines the years 1930–1939. During this period, the weekly “Głos Podlaski” and the “Podlaski Miesięcznik Katolicki” were published and reached readers, the former being the unofficial, the latter the official organ of Catholic Action. The 1930s also saw the creation and development of associations within the Diocesan Institute of Catholic Action in Siedlce, from 1934 onwards with the full complement of “four columns.” “Głos Podlaski” and “Podlaski Miesięcznik Katolicki” regularly featured articles devoted to agricultural economics in its broadest sense. The diocesan press thus influenced the dissemination of knowledge, modern forms of farming, and vocational education for the younger generation of rural residents, especially those associated with Catholic Action associations. These periodicals put into practice the slogan “Truth and Work,” put forward by Bishop Henryk Przeździecki in 1930. The press also serves as a primary source for research on the socio-economic activity of Catholic Action associations in the Siedlce diocese.