The biggest pilgrimage

This spring would be very special season for catholic believers in Russia. The biggest in the history group of Russian pilgrims (150 persons) is coming to Rome in the middle of May. This pilgrimage would be a final event in the year of commemoration of The Pope John Paul II. During this year many every month the meetings with journalists, translators and some other people were organized. On the April, 2 it was held the meeting dedicated to the Pope John Paul II. UNFORGETTABLE EVENT. The plan of the Russian pilgrimage includes the Mass on May, 16 which would be held by Archbishop Tadeush Kondrusiewicz, fr. Krzysztof Pozarski and other Russian priests in the Crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica, very close to the tomb of John Paul II. On May, 17 Russian Catholics would like to participate in General Papal Audience on the Square of St. Peter’s Basilica. Most of the pilgrims have never been to Rome and their first visit should become really unforgettable event as it always is for pilgrims all over the world. All of Russian believers want to see the Pope very much, to pray together with the Pope is the dream of all their lives. Some of them went to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan to have the only opportunity to pray with the Holy Father – they never had it in Russia. John Paul II wanted very much to visit Russia and His Holiness had the invitation from the President of Russia Boris Yeltsyn, but the negative reaction of Russian Orthodox Church mde this visit impossible. Russian pilgrims are going to present important gifts from the depth of their hearts – old Russian icon XVIII century and hand-made liturgical ornate for the Pope Benedict XVI. The program of the pilgrimage also includes the visits to Venice, Verona, Assisi, Padova and Czestochowa and the participation of pilgrims in the Masses in churches and cathedrals in these towns. SIGNATURES ON THE RIBBONS. In spite of the fact that the number of pilgrims this year is the biggest in the history it is limited. For those who don’t go to Rome there are two opportunities to express their emotions, to send their greetings to the Vatican and to commemorate the Pope John Paul II. During some months Catholic believers of the parishes in Archdiocese of Mother of God in Moscow were putting their signatures on the ribbons with colors of Russian flag – white, blue, red – which would be taken to Rome, to the tomb of John Paul II during the pilgrimage. These ribbons will symbolize the memory, the respect of Russian Catholics to the Pope and their love to him. NOTES FOR JOHN PAUL II. Another pilgrim initiative is to gather the notes from different Russian people which which could be used in preparations for Pope John Paul’s II sainthood cause. Vatican has already realized this idea. How Archbishop Angelo Comastri, head of the office that cares for St. Peter’s Basilica, said, the notes collected after the death of John Paul II “were all requests for graces, especially for families”. They describe different cases and situations, many people asked The Pontiff entrust their families to God and asking for the Pope’s blessing, other wrote about their problems looking for prayer and support. Msgr. Slawomir Oder, the postulator of Pope John Paul’s cause, underlined that while the notes do not appear to include information about miracles attributed to Pope John Paul nor testimony about his life, they are important for the cause – “They are further evidence of the ‘fame of holiness’ required for beatification and canonization”. These notes could demonstrate how many people from different countries believe that Pope John Paul is in heaven and can intercede on their behalf and Russian Catholics are going to support this good initiative. THE LAST YEAR. In 2005 more than 40 pilgrims from Moscow, Kaliningrad, Vladimir, Smolensk, Ryazan, Yaroslavl and some other Russian towns, two priests and Archbishop Kondrusiewicz visited Rome to commemorate John Paul II, to visit his tomb and to meet with his successor. That time Russian group was allowed to present at the Mass in a Crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica at the birthday of John Paul II, on May, 18. Also Russian catholic believers participated the General Audience of Pope Benedict XVI and The Pontific came to greet Russian believers personally. Among many greetings to the people from other countries Pope said a short speech in Russian and blessed Russian pilgrims. That visit left a special light of Joy, Hope and Belief in hearts and souls of all pilgrims.