Fr. Łukasz Bankowski – Vatican
A faith that does not need to be seen
“I’ve got goosebumps the whole time. The impressions are incredible,” says Grażyna, a completely blind person who came to Rome with pilgrims from Wrocław, Opole, and Przemyśl. Although she cannot see the monumental interior of St. Peter’s Basilica or the tomb of St. John Paul II, being present in this place is a profound experience for her.
Asked about the most important spiritual moment of the pilgrimage, she unhesitatingly points to Thursday’s Holy Mass at the tomb of the Polish Pope.
The group consists of twelve people. Six visually impaired pilgrims are accompanied by six caregivers. As Ryszard Płonka, the organizer of the trip, explains, the pilgrimage was born spontaneously. The participants arrived in Rome on Monday and are returning to Poland on Friday.
“A dream come true”
For many participants, prayer at the tomb of St. John Paul II was the fulfillment of a desire carried in their hearts for many years.
“An incredible experience. I am very moved,” admits Jadwiga, who visited the Vatican Basilica again after years.
“A dream come true,” says Barbara. Throughout her life, she never had the opportunity to meet John Paul II in person. Now she could come to his tomb and pray in a place that has special significance for many Poles.
Halina also came with personal intentions. “For health, but also for the conversion of a certain person in the family,” she explains, speaking of the requests entrusted through the intercession of the saintly Pope.
Singing they will not forget
The musical setting for Thursday’s Eucharist was prepared by the women’s choir “Harfa” from the parish of St. Bartholomew in Stawiszyn in the Diocese of Kalisz. For its members, singing in the Vatican Basilica was an event they had been preparing for for a long time.
“This is the first time and a great experience. We will certainly remember it for the rest of our lives,” says Krzysztof, organist of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Kalisz, involved in organizing the trip.
As Fr. Adam Modliński explains, the idea for the pilgrimage had been maturing for a long time. The choir prepared the repertoire to sing as beautifully as possible during the liturgy.
“This is a great experience not only for the choir, but also for the families. Today they listened to the broadcast of the Holy Mass and prayed with us,” the priest emphasizes.
From John Paul II to Leo XIV
Wednesday’s general audience with Leo XIV was another unforgettable experience for the choir members.
“He drove very close, looked at us, greeted us. I didn’t even know exactly how I should behave,” Monika recalls. She adds that the Holy Father also looked at the children accompanying the group. “I think we will remember that look for a very long time,” she assures.
For some pilgrims, the meeting with Leo XIV brought back memories from years ago. Ewa remembers an audience with John Paul II in Castel Gandolfo in 1991. “We have a photo with St. John Paul II. It is an amazing keepsake that we will always have in a prominent place at home,” she says.
Another participant recalls meeting the Polish Pope during his visit to Kalisz in 1997. She was 12 years old at the time and was convinced that it would be her only opportunity to see the Successor of St. Peter. Almost three decades later, she was able to experience a similar meeting again, this time with Leo XIV.
Poles at the tomb of John Paul II
Thursday’s Eucharist was also attended by pilgrims from Uniejów, who the day before presented Leo XIV with a reliquary containing the relics of St. Bogumilus, a 12th-century Archbishop of Gniezno and patron saint of the city.
Also present were members of the Kraków Rifle Brotherhood, who came to venerate the relics of St. John Paul II, an honorary brother of their community.
