Dwie równoległe drogi życia: Ludwika Moriconi (1863–1933) i Waleria Gąsiorowska (1864–1949) – wspólny początek i różny finał

Based on extant autobiographical texts, personal notes, letters and press reports and articles, the paper presents two founders of late 19th century non-habited religious communities. Those two leaders of religious life in Polish territories under partition were initiators and organisers of secret congregations. Ludwika Moriconi – a pioneer establishing social rehabilitation facilities for women involved in prostitution in Warsaw – was perceived as a woman of success due to her outstanding organisational skills. After following a religious vocation for several years, she left for secular life and became a wife and mother. Waleria Gąsiorowska, initially L. Moriconi’s close associate, took on the
mission of creating a religious congregation and served as a superior general for 21 years. She was a successful leader of her community and a spiritual mother for 50 years of her religious life. The article is an attempt to answer a complex issue: is Ludwika Moriconi’s giving up on her religious life a failure and Waleria Gąsiorowska’s perseverance a success?