The Pope was already very weak. Prelate Ptasznik was saying that it was one of the saddest Holy Thursdays of his life. That something was ending at that time. On that Holy Thursday, the memory of a trip to the Holy Land during the Great Jubilee, especially the Upper Room was constantly coming back. I was very lucky that I was able to celebrate a holy Mass with the Holy Father over there – he says. I have never seen him this way before that time or later on. It was something completely indescribable. This place, and the Holy Father completely immersed in God. Absent. I have seen him praying in various situations, but there it was special. To this day, I have in my ears the words from which he began his homily: “Desiderio desideravi” – “I have eagerly desired”. It was noticeable that he repeats the words of Jesus himself: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer…” It did not surprise anyone. In his mouth it was so authentic… Over there he signed the Letter to Priests. It was very symbolic. As if he was waiting for this moment all his life. He returned to his roots. After all, since the 13th century, no Mass was ever celebrated over there. We were the first who were able to return there. It was wonderful.
With the permission of Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki – “A place for everybody”
Znak Publishing House, Kraków 2013
