Pilgrimage: A time for penance and prayer
By Donald Anderson
Correspondent
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — The last group was cheered up the steep hill to the energetic rhythms of the popular chant led by Franciscan Friars: “Our God is good God, yes, he is. He lifts me up, he turns me around, he sets my feet upon higher ground.”
At the top of the hill the pilgrims joined the thousands of the faithful who had packed the main chapel of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa Aug. 10 to honor the Blessed Mother.
For many, the journey to the shrine had begun on foot four days earlier and 58 miles away at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Great Meadows, N.J. From there, these Catholics — many of Polish-American heritage — reenacted the march that Poles from all sections of Poland make to the shrine of the Black Madonna at Jasna Gora.
The pilgrimage takes place each year in August, usually the week before the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The principle celebrant of the Mass, spoken in Polish and English, was Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski, who delivered a homily reflecting the pilgrimage Mary undertook to visit and support her cousin Elizabeth as described in the account of the Visitation in the Gospel of Luke.
Bishop Bootkoski drew a parallel between Mary undertaking her difficult journey with its attendant dangers, and our own journey through life to bring Christ to others. In his homily the bishop observed that the four-day pilgrimage is a microcosm of our life journey.
The bishop also noted the similarity between pilgrims and the striving of Olympic athletes. But while they compete with one another for medals and national glory; pilgrims cooperate to achieve spiritual goals. As such, all walking pilgrims should be awarded bronze or silver medals in the category of strengthening their faith. He further exhorted the congregation to strive for the ultimate gold medal of eternal union with Christ.
As a final encouragement, Bishop Bootkoski urged pilgrims to not let this experience end. He asked the pilgrims to reflect on whether Jesus spoke to them during the walk, and to let this be a life changing event.
Adam Stepien, who helped organize the pilgrimage, said that the pilgrimage began with about 650 people in Great Meadows. The four-day pilgrimage made one camping stop before crossing the Delaware River and then two in Pennsylvania.
Each day of the pilgrimage, however, more people joined until the fourth day when the number of pilgrims arriving at the shrine swelled to nearly 2,000.
Extensive logistical preparations provided for hot food in the morning and evening, traffic control and roving rest facilities.
The pilgrims followed an indirect route over lightly traveled roads to minimize inconveniencing drivers sharing the road; but the courtesy and fervor of participants made the reaction of motorists more one of inspiration than impatience.
Among the pilgrims were entire families including pregnant women with young children in strollers. Large numbers of youth participated in the pilgrimage, along with lay and religious of all ages.
Clergy included perennial participant Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando, Fla. and a contingent of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal from New York and New Jersey.
Redemptorist Father Jan Kwiecien from Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Manville, N.J., captured the thoughts of many on what motivates them to make the pilgrimage.
“Watching like-minded people opening up and sharing their faith with one another is a source of Spiritual renewal,” Father Kwiecien said. “It provides an opportunity to escape from everyday cares and distractions to reflect on what is important in life.”
A teenage pilgrim from Old Bridge, N.J., described the journey as “fun” and “uplifting.”
The liturgy was celebrated each day of the pilgrimage with evening Mass followed by eucharistic adoration. The pilgrims prayed Morning and Evening Prayer, and the Angelus, and the sacrament of reconciliation was available throughout the four-day march.
As they walked, pilgrims prayed the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet as well as sang traditional Polish and contemporary worship songs.
While the pilgrimage was blessed with four days of good weather, its culmination was christened with rain showers in a refreshing send-off to continue life’s mission. From a random sampling of participants, most found the experience rewarding and plan to repeat it next year.
The shrine in Doylestown was founded in 1953 the Order of St. Paul the Hermit. It provides facilities for retreats and a peaceful setting for informal visits of private prayer and reflection.
