Exactly a year ago, in the Polish parish of the Holy Family in Aulnay sous Bois near Paris, the John Paul II Foundation Chapter was established. Among other things, we try to bring the figure of our Great Compatriot, St. John Paul II, closer to the Polish community in various ways. We talk about his life, his pontificate, we disseminate his teaching and, above all, to try to live, as the Pope himself taught us. Already at the beginning of the Chapter’s activity, the idea of organizing a pilgrimage to Rome in the footsteps of St. John Paul II was created, which we managed to set off at the end of April. It lasted five days, from April 27 to May 1. Although it required a lot of effort from the organizers to refine all the details of the trip, to at least partially follow John Paul II, everyone was very happy with the pilgrimage.
Rome welcomed us with beautiful weather – sun, cloudless sky and temperature just right for sightseeing. Our first day with the guide we started with a tour of ancient Rome, through the Capitol, Roman Forums, Venetian Square, Colosseum, ending with the Basilica of St. John Lateran and the Holy Stairs, on which we were going upstairs on our knees, praying to God and presenting our intentions.
After an eventful day, it was time for the night. And, where to stay, if not in the “quiet port for the Polish diaspora in Rome”, that is, so well-known to every member of the John Paul II Foundation, the Polish House at Via Cassia 1200. In the house, located among the greenery, away from the bustle of the big city, after a meal, we could relax, rest after the hardships of travel and sightseeing in Rome. This house, as we know, is a living witness of the long and rich pontificate of John Paul II. There are many souvenirs and documents in it. Of course, the program of our pilgrimage could not miss visiting this House and at the same time the museum, getting acquainted with its history and the stories of the memorabilia gathered there, about which Sister Julia was telling us with great passion and commitment.
The next day we started with a “meeting” with the Holy Father John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica. In front of the altar with the relics of the Saint Pope John Paul II, we participated in the Holy Mass in Polish, which together with other priests, was celebrated by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski – the almoner of Pope Francis. And, here I must write that it was a great spiritual experience for each of us. Almost all of our pilgrims participated for the first time in the Holy Mass in Polish, concelebrated in front of the tomb of St. John Paul II.
After the Holy Mass, a further tour of Rome was waiting for us. This time, in addition to the St. Peter’s Basilica, we were in the Vatican museums, with the beautiful Sistine Chapel – a witness to numerous conclaves and elections of successive Popes since the end of the fifteenth century, i.e. immediately after its construction. After a lunch break and tasting of Italian cuisine, we continued to explore the Eternal City. We admired Baroque Rome with its main squares and fountains.
As we know, Castel Gandolfo was a separate chapter in the life of John Paul II. He called this place Vatican number two. Like air, he needed contact with nature, walks in the shade of trees, a view of the lake from the windows of his apartment, where he worked, wrote, prayed, created poetry. It was there that he spent the summer, protecting himself from the Roman heat, or resting after Christmas and Easter. From there he also went to the Alps to the wonderful Aosta Valley. This place could not be missing on the route of our pilgrimage, as well as a visit to the Papal apartments in Castel Gandolfo. And, after returning to Rome on that day, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Basilica of Our Lady Major (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) was waiting for us.
The second such place, which John Paul II loved in a special way, is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace on Mentorella. It is one of the oldest Marian shrines in Italy located at an altitude of 1018 meters above sea level. The church and monastery are set on a protruding rock. From here there is an extremely beautiful view of the Italian landscape, and in the distance on the horizon you can see the highest peaks of the Apennines Mountains. The sanctuary is erected in the place where, according to tradition, the miraculous conversion of St. Eustace took place. It was also here that St. Benedict led a hermit life for two years, living in a cave hidden in the rock. Adam Dźwigoń, the Rector of the sanctuary, welcomed us with extraordinary hospitality. It is a unique place, from where man is closer to God, to nature, but also to other person and himself, greatly captivated Cardinal Karol Wojtyła. It became his favorite place of pilgrimage. He first came here during the Second Vatican Council and since then he has also visited Mentorella almost every time on the occasion of his stays in Italy. As Pope, he came here seven times. And, we too, not only fell in love with this place, but also entrusted to God our worries, joys, sorrows. The culmination of the pilgrimage to Mentorella was the Holy Mass at the feet of Our Lady of Grace. The Holy Mass was celebrated by our Vicar, Father Vitalij Melnyk along with the Administrator of the John Paul II Foundation, Father Krzysztof Wieliczko OSPPE, and father Jan Strzałka, director of the JPII Foundation House in Lublin. We thank all priests for their prayers, and especially Father Krzysztof for giving a beautiful, heart-warming homily. Enriched by the Spiritual Feast at the Lord’s Table, it was time for a meal during which we tasted the specialties of the region.
Time flies quickly. Sunday has arrived which was the last day of our pilgrimage. We started this day with the Eucharist in the Polish House at via Cassia. To the surprise and great joy of the pilgrims, the Holy Mass was celebrated and the homily was delivered by Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz. I must mention here that during our pilgrimage to Rome, at the same time there was an annual meeting of the Administrative Board of the John Paul II Foundation. For that meeting Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski, and Fr Jan Strzałka, Director of the JPII House in Lublin came from Poland. Thanks to this, we had the opportunity to meet and talk with distinguished guests.
Of course, we could not leave Rome without participating in the Regina Celi prayer on the St. Peter’s Square with Pope Francis.
Full of impressions, wonderful experiences, strengthened in spirit and heart, in the evening we returned to Paris. We would like to thank all those who contributed to the pilgrimage: the organizers of the JP II Foundation Chapter, Father Vitalij, Father Krzysztof Wieliczko, Fr Łukasz Kotarba, the Director of the Polish House at Via Cassia and all the priests and nuns we met.
From the bottoms of our hears, God bless!
Text : Elżbieta Noster
Photos : Zbigniew Adamek
