Stefan Wyszyński (1901–1981), known as the "Primate of the Millennium," was a pivotal figure in 20th-century Polish Catholicism and a steadfast defender of religious freedom under oppressive regimes. Born in Zuzela, Poland, he was ordained a priest in 1924 and pursued advanced studies in sociology and canon law at the Catholic University of Lublin. During World War II, Wyszyński evaded Nazi persecution by serving as a chaplain to the Polish underground and ministering to the blind in Laski near Warsaw. He played a significant role in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, providing spiritual support to resistance fighters under the alias "Radwan III".

Appointed Bishop of Lublin in 1946 and later Archbishop of Gniezno and Warsaw in 1948, Wyszyński became the Primate of Poland during a time of intense Stalinist repression. In 1953, after refusing to subordinate the Church to communist control, he was arrested and held without trial for three years. During his imprisonment, he authored "A Freedom Within: The Prison Notes," reflecting his deep faith and resilience. Upon his release in 1956, Wyszyński initiated the "Great Novena," a nine-year spiritual renewal leading to the 1966 Millennium of Poland’s Christianization, reinforcing national identity and religious commitment.

Wyszyński's leadership extended to the international stage; he participated in the Second Vatican Council and was instrumental in fostering reconciliation between Poland and Germany through a 1965 pastoral letter advocating forgiveness . He also supported the burgeoning Solidarity movement in the early 1980s, emphasizing peace and responsibility during times of social upheaval. His unwavering commitment to faith and human dignity influenced Pope John Paul II, who acknowledged Wyszyński's role in his own papal journey.