Marian Shrine of Jasna Góra Pilgrimage

EUROPE/POLAND - At the Marian Shrine of Jasna Góra a Book with the names of 3,000 Polish priests killed during World War II, under the Communist rule and in mission lands

Czestochowa (Agenzia Fides) – The presentation to the “Black Madonna” venerated at Jasna Góra Marian Shrine, of a Book, "The Priest's Vow" , containing the names of some 3,000 Polish soldiers killed during the Second World War, under Communist rule and in mission territories, was the highlight of a Pilgrimage for Priests 30 April - 1 May to the Shrine of Jasna Góra, in Czestochowa, as part of events for the Year for Priests. According to information sent to Fides Agency, the Book also contains the names of seminarians killed at the same time. Besides the Book, the priests presented the Blessed Virgin Mary with a special urn containing earth from the place where the Polish priests were persecuted and killed. 
The pilgrimage included a Prayer Vigil in the Chapel of the Black Madonna at Jasna Góra and a Priests Prayer in the Cathedral of the Holy Family of Nazareth, in Czestochowa, with the participation of about 50 Polish Bishops and 3,000 priests. Among those present Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, and Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, metropolitan Archbishop of Krakow. A Procession with relics of Saint Jean Marie Vianney, from Holy Family Cathedral to Jasna Góra, was presided by Cardinals Hummes and Dziwisz, together with the metropolitan Archbishop Czestochowa Stanislaw Nowak. At the end of the procession about 5,000 priests and seminarians took part in a Holy Mass presided by Cardinal Hummes, who made a vibrant appeal in his homily to the priests of Poland urging them carry the Gospel to all the different areas of social life and cultural environments: “You must go to families, to work places, to schools, to university environments, you must seek out those who have no faith”. The Cardinal concluded by saying that when a priest carries out his mission with enthusiasm, faith and courage, he discovers the authentic meaning of the priestly identity. (MF/SL)

 (Agenzia Fides 3/05/2010)

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