Published : 2024-09-25

The Spirituality of Polish Women, in the Context of the Loss of a Loved One

Epistolographic Narratives

Abstract

The main issue raised in the article concerns the spirituality of Polish women in the context of the loss of a loved one. Spirituality is an integral part of human life, and contemporary researchers focus their attention on the importance of this sphere for the elderly or in the face of their death. This article examines the significance of the spiritual sphere following the loss of a significant person, based on the author’s research. A qualitative approach was used; texts written in the form of letters were analysed. Categories were generated inductively, and three of them – discussed in this article – provide a certain picture of experiencing spirituality in the face of a loved one’s death.

Fifty-five letters written by women of different ages to deceased loved ones were examined. The analysis aims to explore various aspects of experiencing the loss of a loved one in the context of spirituality, across three dimensions: existential, religious, and relational. In the religious dimension, faith becomes an important element supporting the experience of mourning. The authors refer to a loving God, religious symbols, practices, and festivals. In the existential dimension, there is an awareness of the fragility and transience of human existence. In the relational dimension, the belief in the continued presence of the deceased is evident, along with the need for closeness and the continuation of the relationship after death. This provides comfort in suffering and helps in coping with the difficult experience of loss. Together, these aspects constitute a spiritual dimension.

Keywords:

spirituality, religiosity, relationship, death, letters, mourning



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Fabiś, A., Zaremba-Żółtek , B., Sitko , A., & Goncerz-Pięta, A. (2024). The Spirituality of Polish Women, in the Context of the Loss of a Loved One: Epistolographic Narratives. Biografistyka Pedagogiczna [Biographical Studies in Education], 9(1), 15–48. https://doi.org/10.36578/BP.2024.09.14

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"Biografistyka Pedagogiczna" received funding for the years 2022-2024 from the funds of the Minister of Education and Science under the programme „Rozwój Czasopism Naukowych”.

Project duration: 2023-2024.

The amount of co-financing is 65 992,00 PLN

Contract number: RCN/SP/0434/2021/1