The 20th anniversary of the death of the Servant of God Father Franciszek Blachnicki (1921-1987) was celebrated in Poland on 27 February. Blachnicki was the founder of the most numerous ecclesial movement in Poland, Ruch Swiatlo-Zycie (Light and Life Movement), which currently comprises over 100,000 members. Its many communities prayed for a speedy conclusion of the process of beatification of the Founder, begun in 1995. Light and Life is present not only in Poland, but also in 17 countries of Europe, North America and Latin America. Its origins go back to the 1950s, when spiritual retreats for adolescents (so-called Oases ) began to be held in the diocese of Katowice, under the guidance of Fr. Blachnicki. In the period 1963-1973 the Movement identified its specific mission in the implementation of conciliar renewal. In the 1970s the spiritual retreats began to involve not only adolescents, but also students, workers, priests, religious, seminarians and especially families. On 11 June 1973 the then Archbishop of Krakow Karol Wojty?a consecrated the Light and Life Movement to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of the Church. Light and Life is also associated with the Crusade for the Liberation of Man , a charity of social character aimed specifically at helping the victims of alcoholism and other forms of slavery of modern man. Particularly devoted to the service to alcoholics and their families is the Diakonia of Liberation , which organizes retreats in the centre of Katowice. In recent years the Movement has also developed a service to assist those suffering from problems linked to homosexuality. Another important project is its commitment to defending unborn children called the Diakonia of Life .
