Polish dioceses ahead of the WYD

There is a year to go to the World Youth Day in Krakow (July 26-31 2016), when Poland will become a great “Campus Misericordiae”, Field of Mercy, formed by its 44 dioceses (and 10 thousand parishes) each of which will become a biblical site. Betania, Mount of the Beatitudes, Golgota, Cana, Jordan, Mount Carmel, Canaan, Mamre, Gethsemane, Galilee… Over two million youths from all over the world will inhabit these places with their Polish peers experiencing the theme of the WYD, encompassed in the words of Matthew: “blessed are those who are merciful, because it is they who will receive mercy!” This is the pastoral path followed by the Polish WYD, as reiterated on several occasions by the archbishop of Krakow cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz: “To reactivate parishes, prompt an outgoing approach of ecclesial movements, meeting young people who are distant from our environment, privileging the poorest among them, impressing a Christian stamp on the atmosphere of our times. “A year before the opening of World Youth Day, in this field of Mercy that is Poland, we are also working hard to prepare “The days in the Diocese” (20-25 July) preceding the papal program. Bielsko-Zywiec. “A historic and special event”, Fr Piotr Hoffman, coordinator of the WYD for the diocese of Bielsko-Zywiec, 100 km from Krakow, told SIR. The Polish diocese is preparing to host over 10 thousand pilgrims. For everyone Bielsko will be the Mount of the Beatitudes from which, the priest said, “it will be possible to observe one of the most significant sites of recent world history, Auschwitz concentration camp. The pilgrims who will come during the days in the dioceses will be given the opportunity to pray and reflect on the meaning of suffering and evil, but with their glance to God. “No less significant are the visits to the shrine of Czestochowa and Wadowice, the birthplace of St. John Paul II, the founder of the WYD. “There will be a reception in his name”, said Fr Hoffman, confident that “every event offered to the pilgrims coming to leave a mark”. Katowice. “We will light a big bonfire as a sign of God’s mercy and we will keep warm. We will ask the young to wear a scapular, a habit of Our Lady symbolizing the hope that God infuses in us and eventually we’ll hold a big celebration under the stars, remembering John Paul II. “The Archdiocese of Katowice is preparing to become the “Mount Carmel” to receive the incoming pilgrims, “at least 20 thousand from Italy, France, America, Mexico and other countries”, for the World Youth Day with our great commitment, as illustrated by the coordinator of the Day Fr Marcin Wierzbicki. “We expect large numbers of youths. Will go to the park of Chorzow and on the hill at the shrine of Our Lady of Piekary to remember the events of Mount Carmel and the prophet Elijah, who fought against the priests of the god Baal, as narrated in the Bible”. Włocławek. As expected, the most active dioceses include Wloclawek (the biblical site of Mercy), the birthplace of Saint Faustine – Głogowiec is his hometown – the apostle of the Divine Mercy. This diocese in the centre of Poland is “rich with saints – said Marta, one of the young volunteers who are actively involved in the organization of some 4 thousand pilgrims – Maximilian Kolbe was born in Zdunska Vola, and of martyrs, as the priest killed under communism, Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko. We will share together with the pilgrims the Day of Mercy and the visit to the sites of Saint Faustina. Those who wish to be best prepared for the meeting with Pope Francis can’t help coming to us”, the volunteer said with a smile. Wroclaw. John Paul II described it as “the city of encounters”, as it is expected to be for the next WYD, when it will welcome 50 thousand pilgrims. “They will enjoy our hospitality – proudly said Fr Piotr Wawrzynek, local coordinator of the WYD – and a program rich with events, also because in 2016 the city will be the European Capital of Culture. Concerts, cultural and sport events, musical performances will be accompanied by sessions for encounter and prayer. Here the youths will have a real opportunity to meet Jesus, as happened in the Galilee over two thousand years ago”. And while the Polish dioceses are preparing to give their best, the bishops’ conferences of Europe and in the rest of the world prepare the youths for this major event. May the countdown begin.