Artur Hanula, Karol Darmoros
Full text of Leo XIV’s greeting to Poles:
“I cordially greet the Poles. I am spiritually united with those gathered in Częstochowa, where, 70 years later, the Jasna Góra Vows of the Nation, drafted by the imprisoned Card. Stefan Wyszyński, are being renewed today. May the program of moral renewal of society contained therein through the protection of human life, care for marriage and the family, and the upbringing of children and youth constantly be an inspiration for building justice and brotherhood. I bless you all!”.
70 years after the historic event
On Wednesday, August 26, on the 70th anniversary of the Jasna Góra Vows of the Nation, bishops and the faithful in Poland are renewing the promises contained within them. The main Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Częstochowa will begin at 11:00 AM at the open-air altar in Jasna Góra. It will be presided over by the Primate of Poland, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, who will also deliver the homily. Pilgrims from various parts of the country are arriving for the celebrations.
The text of the Vows, composed by Card. Wyszyński, was read on August 26, 1956, by Bishop Michał Klepacz. The act was created on the 300th anniversary of the Lwów Vows of King John II Casimir as a program for the religious and moral renewal of the nation. It called, among other things, for fidelity to God and the Church, care for the family, life, and social justice.
Poles at the audience
Numerous groups from Poland participated in Wednesday’s general audience at St. Peter’s Basilica. A group of altar servers and lectors with their parents from the parish of St. John Gualbert and St. Tekla in Stany (Sandomierz diocese) arrived. Also present were pilgrims from the parish of St. Mary Magdalene in Strzelce (Pelplin diocese), the parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Żuławki (Elbląg diocese), the Liturgical Service from the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bolesławiec (Legnica diocese), altar servers serving at the parish of St. Anne in Gliwice Łabędy together with their guardian, representatives of the “Gaudeamus” University Ministry in Siedlce, as well as individual pilgrims from the country and abroad.
