On October 12, 2019, a group of 35 people from the John Paul II Foundation, South California Chapter went for another one-day pilgrimage; this time to Valyermo in California. In that special place, with our joint prayers, we wanted to prepare spiritually to the 100th anniversary of the St. John Paul II birth.
Valyermo is a small place in the Mojave Desert, where the St. Andrew Abbey of the Benedictine Fathers is located since 1955. Today, 18 monks live there and welcome all who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and through prayers can recover spiritually. We spent there a very beautiful day, which brought to us strength, joy and inner peace. Fr. dr Sławomir Szkredka participated in our pilgrimage. Fr. Szkredka is the Vice-Rector and the teacher (Biblical Studies) at the Archdiocesan Seminary of St. John in Camarillo, CA. We went on a small coach bus to Valyermo and as the trip takes almost two hours, we had time to pray, jointly pray Rosary, recall our meetings with St. John Paul II, and sing. Upon arrival to the abbey at noon we participated in the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. dr. Luke Dysinger OSB, one of the monks from the abbey. Our group almost completely filled the tiny Church. Two of our pilgrims brought gifts to the altar. After the Mass, we went for lunch. It is a tradition at this place that the meals are prepared by the monks for visitors-pilgrims. After lunch, Fr. Patrick Sheridan told us about the history of the Benedictine Order and St. Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo as well as about the daily life at the abbey. Then, Fr. Sławomir Szkredka told us about his work, as a priest, teacher and researcher – Biblical Studies, the subject that was very interesting to our pilgrims. Before our departure, we prayed the Station of the Cross and went for a walk. Many participants went to the cemetery at the hill where monks are buried. From that place, there is an outstanding view on the entire Mojave Desert: on one side there is the view on the Antelope Valley and on the other side on San Gabriel Mountains.
During our pilgrimage, we were praying together in the intention of the John Paul II Foundation and all Foundation’s activities as well as for all members: deceased and all who are serving the Foundation today.
