“We are all born to serve, whom we serve depends on ourselves” – this thought expressed by Zofia Kossak can be applied not only to scouting.
At the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Myszków on December 20th, scouts along with the Mayor of the City Janusz Romaniuk handed over the Bethlehem Light of Peace, this flame of love and peace, to the residents of Myszków.
The Bethlehem Light of Peace is an annual scouting and scouting action of passing on symbolic fire from Bethlehem, lit in the Grotto of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem, before Christmas. The Bethlehem Light of Peace is a symbol of warmth, love, peace, and hope – traditionally placed on the Christmas Eve table.
The action was initiated in 1986 by Radio and Television in Linz as a charity event for disabled children and those in need. Thanks to the participation of scouts, the action covers almost all of Europe. The light is brought from Bethlehem to Vienna every year, where it is handed over to scouts from neighboring countries in the cathedral. Then the relay goes to the far corners of the continent.
In Poland, the action has been carried out since 1991 by scouts from the Polish Scouting Association, who receive the Bethlehem Light of Peace from Slovak scouts at the border crossing at Lysa Polana in the Tatra Mountains. Then, after a solemn Mass celebrated in the Chapel of the Bethlehem Light of Peace, located on the grounds of the “Gniedówka” Mountain Shelter, the light is passed on to all scouting units, and through them to the residents of towns and villages. The Bethlehem Light of Peace is solemnly received by, among others, the President of the Republic of Poland, the Prime Minister, the Marshal of the Sejm and Senate, and the Primate of Poland.