We had a solemn dinner, but without splendor – recalls Prelate Ptasznik. We were coming after the holy Mass; Prelates from Poland were arriving, from Krakow. (…) The conversation usually revolved around church affairs in Krakow, Poland, we always referred to the Letter to Priests and the morning liturgy. The Holy Father wanted to give this meeting a unique character at the table. As usual, it was the guests who spoke, he rather listened. As the Prelate points out, the atmosphere was special. Special day. Special circumstances. Lunch at the Papal table. Among those who knew each other for years, from Krakow’s times. There were a lot of jokes – says Father Ptasznik. One year, one of these Prelates from Krakow managed to get a ticket, thanks to which he was among the priests for whom the Holy Father washed feet during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in Lateran. We laughed at him for a long time, that he came to Rome to wash his feet here. Then, every year we laughed at it. We said that to the Holy Father. He laughed a lot. I ask about the meaning of this meeting, about how much it meant to them. “It meant a lot” – says Prelate. It was very important to us; to me. I am immensely grateful to the Lord God and then to the Holy Father for always remembering to invite us to this dinner. As if he wanted to tell us that he had never forgotten us. And that will always remember. That was every Holy Thursday. Except for the last one.
With the consent of Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki – “Place for everyone”
Znak Publishing House, Kraków 2013.
