Kościoł Naszym Domem!
I knew blogging entries would be more spread out after leaving SVD, so I hope y'all don't mind the "longer" posts....
Friday morning we were picked up by Fr Augustine around 9:30, went to Fr Jozef's for coffee and then off to the mountain! After we got to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a shrine which dates to around 1600...we grabbed a quick lunch and then did daytime prayer before our adventure began.
There's a path at the shrine about 2km long that leads to the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene. According to tradition, first time visitors to the shrine are to walk backwards the 2km until they reach the chapel. This is because Mary Magdalene was in darkness her whole life until meeting Jesus. We walk backwards to show that our paths too aren't clear unless guided by Christ. Although we prayed the rosary on the way, it was still somewhat nerve racking to not know what the next step held. You could go over a tree root, walk into a tree, step in a pile of mud etc...
When our backs hit the wall of the chapel we were able to turn around, enter and say a quick prayer. The second part of the tradition is to crawl on your knees around the chapel for each year of your life. While doing this you petition God for a prayer request that is granted upon completion. The aged, sick and hurt (I guess me because of my foot) only need to go around once. It was very painful, because your knees have all these rocks and roots digging into them... But you gotta offer it up right?!
We returned to Fr Jozef's parish for a "private" Mass with Fr Augustine at 10:15, ate dinner and then off to the hotel.
In August all across Poland, pilgrims start walking to the shrine of Our lady of Czestechowa for the Feast of the Assumption on the 15th. (from Stalowa Wola it is about 250km I believe) We started with a group from Monika's parish, but we were only participating Saturday... The theme is "the Church is our home" (title of this entry) We started at 9, and I walked until 12 with stopping at the 2 resting places along the way. Monika's dad picked her brother and I up and brought me back to the hotel, where I was able to rest a couple hours.
Last night we watched the Olympics at their house and called it a night around 11... Which was our earliest night all trip in Poland! I feel well rested for the first time all week!
Today we are going to Sandomierz for Mass with Fr Augustine. Mike and I will serve (for the first time in our very own hand made cassocks!!!) and then we shall see what the afternoon has in store.
The time in Poland has passed so quickly! I can't believe that we fly back to Portugal the day after tomorrow!! Any prayer requests for Fatima are still being taken!
See you at the Eucharist...
--KPL
Friday morning we were picked up by Fr Augustine around 9:30, went to Fr Jozef's for coffee and then off to the mountain! After we got to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a shrine which dates to around 1600...we grabbed a quick lunch and then did daytime prayer before our adventure began.
There's a path at the shrine about 2km long that leads to the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene. According to tradition, first time visitors to the shrine are to walk backwards the 2km until they reach the chapel. This is because Mary Magdalene was in darkness her whole life until meeting Jesus. We walk backwards to show that our paths too aren't clear unless guided by Christ. Although we prayed the rosary on the way, it was still somewhat nerve racking to not know what the next step held. You could go over a tree root, walk into a tree, step in a pile of mud etc...
When our backs hit the wall of the chapel we were able to turn around, enter and say a quick prayer. The second part of the tradition is to crawl on your knees around the chapel for each year of your life. While doing this you petition God for a prayer request that is granted upon completion. The aged, sick and hurt (I guess me because of my foot) only need to go around once. It was very painful, because your knees have all these rocks and roots digging into them... But you gotta offer it up right?!
We returned to Fr Jozef's parish for a "private" Mass with Fr Augustine at 10:15, ate dinner and then off to the hotel.
In August all across Poland, pilgrims start walking to the shrine of Our lady of Czestechowa for the Feast of the Assumption on the 15th. (from Stalowa Wola it is about 250km I believe) We started with a group from Monika's parish, but we were only participating Saturday... The theme is "the Church is our home" (title of this entry) We started at 9, and I walked until 12 with stopping at the 2 resting places along the way. Monika's dad picked her brother and I up and brought me back to the hotel, where I was able to rest a couple hours.
Last night we watched the Olympics at their house and called it a night around 11... Which was our earliest night all trip in Poland! I feel well rested for the first time all week!
Today we are going to Sandomierz for Mass with Fr Augustine. Mike and I will serve (for the first time in our very own hand made cassocks!!!) and then we shall see what the afternoon has in store.
The time in Poland has passed so quickly! I can't believe that we fly back to Portugal the day after tomorrow!! Any prayer requests for Fatima are still being taken!
See you at the Eucharist...
--KPL
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