The long-awaited Triptych with the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa, St. Sister Faustina and St. John Paul II and their relics, arrived at the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Kitchener in the last week of the month of the Holy Rosary. Its peregrination will last from October 23 to 30, 2020. Our parish family has been spiritually preparing for the visit of this unique “Guest” for a long time. From August 30, on Sundays after the Eucharist, the faithful prayed the Novena to Pope John Paul II and on the remaining days the special prayer through His intercession. In addition, in the presbytery of the church two large posters with the image of the Pope, with the inscription in English and Polish were placed, highlighting the importance of jubilee celebrations. The main celebrations were held on Sunday, October 25, 2020. In the morning, the solemn Mass was celebrated and the homily was delivered in English by the retired suffrage of the Diocese of Hamilton, Fr. Bishop Mateusz Ustrzycki. The pontificate Mass was celebrated by Bishop Józef Dąbrowski, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of London along with former pastors. The Mass was celebrated in Polish language and the homily was delivered by Bishop Bishop Józef Dąbrowski. After the Eucharist, there was an adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Litany to St. John Paul II was prayed. As a thanksgiving for the Holy Father’s pontificate we sang the hymn Te Deum (God, we glorify You) and the supplications for the cessation of the pandemic. During the peregrination, the order of Masses was changed. A Mass with the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation takes place every morning and evening of each day and there is an all-day adoration of the Blessed Sacrament along with prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and atonement led by the Domestic Church group.
On Friday, October 30, we will celebrate the Stations of the Cross with St. John Paul II in English. Joining spiritually John Paul II, together we will follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ in His carrying of the cross to Golgotha. We will be thinking about John Paul II boundless service to the Universal Church and the entire world, which included his suffering, sickness, assassination, the “autumn of life” and his carrying of a very heavy cross.
As a parish community, we offer intense prayers, so that at the Triptych and the relics of two Polish modern saints, we will implore for ourselves and our fellow men many God’s graces through the intercession of St. Sister Faustina and St. John Paul II the Great.
Fr. Adam Wróblewicz, CR
