From 21 – 29 September 2023, the scholarship recipients from the John Paul II Foundation Home in Lublin went for a pilgrimage to Italy. The main reason for this was to visit the tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul and St. John Paul II. The pilgrims were accompanied by the directors and staff.
On the way to Rome, they visited Venice, especially St Mark’s Square and Basilica. In Rome, the whole group stayed at the Polish House on via Cassia, where they enjoyed a family atmosphere, full of hospitality and kindness. They also participated every day in the Eucharist there.
During almost one week-long stay in the Eternal City, they visited many places and attended important ceremonies and meetings. They were also received by Msgr. Paweł Ptasznik, Chairman of the Administrative Council of the John Paul II Foundation, at the Church of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr.
On Wednesday, September 27th, they participated in the general audience with Pope Francis at the St. Peter’s Square. Fr. Jan Strzałka and Fr. Robert Ptak, as the group’s educators and representatives, were able to meet Pope Francis in person and asked him for his apostolic blessing for the group and for the others in the group’s house in Lublin. After the audience, they met with Msgr. Dariusz Giers, administrator of the Foundation, who coordinated their pilgrimage providing them with irreplaceable assistance.
On the last day of their stay in Rome (Thursday, September 28th), they attended Mass celebrated by the Cardinal Nominee, Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś, on the 65th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of Fr. Karol Wojtyla, at his tomb in the Vatican Basilica. In an interview with the Vatican Radio, the scholarship recipients highlighted that the Polish Pope was an inspiration to them, and that their stay at the Vatican allowed them to learn more about their identity and deepen their faith.
All the scholarship recipients, together with the management and staff, expressed their immense gratitude for the Foundation’s authorities, benefactors and all those who helped them to make the pilgrimage to Italy. They will keep the gratitude alive with prayers and remembrance.
Fr. Jan and Fr. Robert with Scholars
