On 10 February 2026, Gdynia celebrated its 100th anniversary in style. The birthday events are wide-ranging, from official celebrations to joint concerts, dances and meetings, as the theme of this year's birthday is community. In keeping with tradition, the residents of Gdynia also gathered for a mass. On 15 February, at the Parish of Our Lady Queen of Poland – Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Gdynia, the eucharist was led by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Gdańsk, Tadeusz Wojda. The parish priest, Father Jan Kowalski, expressed his ‘gratitude for spiritual guidance and prayers for our city and its inhabitants.’
Just before the mass began, the Navy, acting as the military honor guard, brought in the Honorary Banner. The Academic Choir of the Maritime University of Gdynia provided the musical accompaniment. At the beginning of the eucharist, parish priest Jan Kowalski thanked the local government and Deputy Mayor Rafał Geremek, who was present at the mass, for organising the city's centenary events. He thanked the parish priests of Gdynia and the many guests for coming and participating in the mass.
I warmly welcome representatives of the Sejm and Senate, as well as former and current local government officials, and thank you for contributing to public life in Gdynia. Thanks are also due to the educational community, which shapes the young people of Gdynia. I respectfully welcome the Navy, representatives of the uniformed services and state institutions for their service to the homeland and Gdynia. I welcome representatives of the world of culture, museums, patriotic, veteran and regional organisations, including those who cherish the Kashubian-Pomeranian heritage, as well as representatives of trade unions, NSZZ ‘Solidarność’, thanking them, as always, for their testimony to the dignity of work. I would like to extend a special welcome to the residents of Gdynia, who are creating the living history of our city, said Father Kowalski.
During his homily, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda repeatedly mentioned that the church had left its mark and demonstrated its commitment, including in the construction of buildings in urban areas, such as the cross on Kamienna Góra, and the activities of the Stella Maris pastoral ministry, which supports seafarers. He also mentioned key figures such as Father Hilary Jastak – King of the Kashubians, chief chaplain of Solidarity, and Pope John Paul II, who visited Gdynia on 11 June 1987, empowering the residents in difficult times.
In the beautiful homily delivered during his visit, he spoke about people who had tied their lives to the sea. He spoke about the solidarity that arises between people working at sea, as well as the responsibility that rests on us. It is thanks to these and similar actions that, during the dark nights of war, communism, ideology and other difficulties, the light of faith and hope has been burning for centuries, emphasised the President of the Polish Episcopal Conference.
During his sermon, he repeatedly referred to the history of Gdynia, which is connected not only with the sea, but also with faith and the church.
When we look at the complex history of Gdynia, we can say that this city, with its symbols such as the port and architecture, has its foundations. However, the real foundation is not concrete or steel, but people rooted in faith. The Word of God reminds us that foundations must be constantly strengthened, because otherwise development becomes only economics, success only statistics, and the city only a space without a soul. The hundred years of the city that we are celebrating today may be a long time in history, but in God's perspective, it is only the beginning. And since it is the beginning, the most important question of the jubilee is not what Gdynia was, but what Gdynia will be. It is a question about the future of this city. What kind of Gdynia will we leave to future generations? asked Archbishop Wojda.
At the end of the celebration, Rafał Geremek, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, read a letter of thanks to the residents.
We are meeting today at a special moment, as we celebrate the centenary of the city that for many of us is our home, our place of work, where we raise our children and realise our dreams. A hundred years ago, by decision of the authorities of the reborn Republic of Poland, a small Kashubian village began its journey towards modernity. I would like to express my gratitude to all generations of residents who built this city with their work, talent and courage. It is thanks to them that Gdynia has become a symbol of the economic development of the Second Republic, a window to the world and proof that joint effort and belief in success can change reality. I would like to thank everyone who contributes to today's Gdynia – entrepreneurs, social organisations, municipal services, councillors, officials and, above all, you, the residents. It is your commitment that makes Gdynia a place we can be proud of, said Rafał Geremek, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia.
On that day, in Gdynia, but also in churches throughout the country, donations were collected in response to a call from Caritas. Funds were raised for Ukraine, a country ravaged by war and freezing temperatures.
Photos: Paweł Budziński