The Papal Day is the main celebration of the year for which the Munich Chapter of the John Paul II Foundation prepares with a great attention. The 19th Papal Day was celebrated with the motto: “Rise, and let’s go.” That day went by at our parish in a special atmosphere of homage and thanksgiving for the gift of this extraordinary pontificate of the Polish Pope. On Friday preceding the Papal Day that is on October 11th the peregrination of the Triptych with the images of Our Lady of Częstochowa, St. John Paul II, and St. Faustina Kowalska started. Novena, which will be prayed at the Polish Catholic parish in the Bavarian capital will continue until October 19th, initiated the peregrination of the Triptych in Europe. At the invitation of the Pastor of the Church and the Chaplain of our Chapter, Fr. Stanisław Pławecki, from Rome came Prelate Sławomir Nasiorowski, who for 18 years works for the Polish section of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. The guest honored with his presence our Saturday meeting of members of the Munich Chapter. The President of the Chapter, Ms. Marta Czempik presented forms of activities of the Munich Chapter. In his lecture, Fr. Nasiorowski shared his personal experiences from the times when he was near the Pope, living at the Vatican and accompanying him in many foreign pilgrims. In his testimony he confessed that the holiness of Karol Wojtyło was felt during meetings with him, listening to his homilies, and above all, by seeing him deep in prayers. Fr. Monsignor asked members of the Chapter to continue to support the Foundation with prayers and financially, but above all, by spreading the legacy of John Paul II and referring to his teaching which is so applicable to current times. After the meeting which ended with agape, members of the Chapters went to the Church to participate in the Mass and to pray in front of the Triptych. On Sunday, during the Holy Mass, the Prelate shared with the Poles his memories of John Paul II, emphasizing the holiness, and at the same time, the greatness of the Pope-a good-natured man, sincere and open to his neighbor. Members of the Chapter were collecting donations for the John Paul II Foundation.
We, members of the Chapter, feel called again to act in accordance with the motto of the Papal Day, “Rise up and let’s go.” Let us not hesitate, let us give testimonies and try to be good Christians by looking at St. John Paul II. We are already looking forward to a trip to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth date of our beloved Holy Father that will take place in Rome in April 2020.
Beata Tomczyk-Paniak
