The annual, currently the 31st Pilgrimage of the Radio Maryja Family to Jasna Góra Shrine in Częstochowa in Poland gathered tens of thousands of people on Sunday, 10 July. This year the pilgrimage was held under the motto: ‘With Mary sent in peace’.
From early morning, pilgrims gathered in the meadows beneath the Shrine walls. Those who arrived were welcomed by the redemptorist fathers who minister at Radio Maryja. Then followed the prayers and a concert of religious and popular songs.
The main point of the gathering was the Holy Mass, presided over by Archbishop Adam Szal, Metropolitan of Przemyśl, who gave the homily.
– Today, we contemplate the evangelical event of the ‘Visitation of St Elizabeth’ during the XXXI Pilgrimage of the Radio Maryja Family to Jasna Góra. We wish to learn from Mary what it means to bring peace to the modern world. For many generations, there has been longing for true peace in the human heart,’ said Archbishop Adam Szal.
– Humanity, by its efforts, is not able to achieve peace. We know how fragile political treaties are, after which new wars often start. We must realise that peace is a gift of God. It is such a wonderful and sublime thing that even the best-willed man cannot achieve it on his strength alone. For the help of God Himself is necessary,” pointed out the Metropolitan of Przemyśl.
The gathered pilgrims were welcomed by the Subprior of Jasna Góra, Fr. Rafał Wilk, OSPPE. Then the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, delivered his speech. He thanked the Radio Maryja Family for defending the world of values and for openness and hospitality toward the Ukrainian refugees.
The participants of the XXXI Pilgrimage of the Radio Maryja Family had the opportunity to listen to words of greeting by the Holy Father Francis, said at the Angelus prayer.
Fr. Janusz Sok, CSsR, the Superior of the Province of Warsaw, thanked the redemptorist confreres ministering in Radio Maryja and all the participants of the prayer gathering at Jasna Góra Marian Shrine.
The Director of Radio Maryja, Father Tadeusz Rydzyk CSsR, also spoke. The final point of the prayer meeting at Jasna Góra was the prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
TV Trwam and Radio Maryja broadcasted the event.
Source: redemptor.pl; radiomaryja.pl; photos by Monika Tomaszek
More information and materials available: XXXI Pilgrimage of the Radio Maryja Family to Jasna Góra
