Staropolska poezja religijna w zreformowanej szkole ponadpodstawowej

The connection between literature and religion can be observed in the writing of every literary period. Old Polish religious poetry has an established position within this field of research – it constitutes a huge part of the literary works of the Middle Ages, the Reneissance and Baroque. Therefore, it is not surprising that this kind of literature appeared in the core curricula, syllabuses and textbooks for cultural and literary education of secondary school students even before the latest reform of the educational system, as well as after it. The crucial factor in the consideration of the role of Old Polish religious poetry in schools, is the opinion of Polish teachers, who base it on their experience in teaching it. The empirical research conducted on a group of Polish teachers prove that despite various difficulties faced while teaching Old Polish religious poetry, they see a great value in this type of literature in the overall process of education as well as in young adults’ personal life. Old Polish religious poetry introduces students to symbols crucial for our cultural circle. The last but not the least, it may help to fully understand and experience oneself/other people in the face of the sacred.