Yesterday we enjoyed our last day in Poland. After a quick breakfast and final goodbye to the wonderful people at the Totus Tuus Retreat Center we departed our unforgettable accommodation site for the Shrine of Divine Mercy. The Shrine was located about 40 minutes outside of Krakow, allowing some of us to catch-up on a little more sleep.
As soon as we arrived at the Shrine we made our way to the Convent Chapel of the Sisters of Divine Mercy. Why have Mass in the Convent and not the Shrine itself?
As soon as we arrived at the Shrine we made our way to the Convent Chapel of the Sisters of Divine Mercy. Why have Mass in the Convent and not the Shrine itself?
Because the chapel houses the remains of St. Faustina, the great messenger of God’s mercy and the miraculous image that everyone is familiar with. The image I am talking about is not the “original” image. That image (the one that was painted from her dictation to the painter) is located in Lithuania. The “miraculous” image, however, was a votive offering painted by a survivor of World War II. After giving it to the Sisters, the image was placed in the chapel and since then many miracles which have been requested from those who prayed to God before it have been answered.
Fr. Jeff celebrated the Mass, speaking about the connection between John Paul II and the message of mercy that was being entrusted to St. Faustina. After the Mass we had the chance to venerate St. Faustina’s relic that is on display in front of her tomb. We then visited a model cell that the sisters have prepared in order to display some of St. Faustina’s belongings. From there we made our way to the Shrine where we came across a big surprise.
As we were walking to go see the actual Shrine we encountered the IVE group from the Ukraine. Both groups were quite surprised and joyful at meeting one another. After exchanging a few words of greeting and taking a few group photos, we broke out a few songs (and even an accordion) in order to share the joy of Easter. Both groups got “on stage” (actually a set of stairs) to perform for one another before singing “Immaculate Mary” together in their respective languages as a way of honoring Our Lady. As entertaining as it was for each of the groups, other visitors to the Shrine seemed to be just as pleased with the music as various groups stopped to enjoy the songs and capture some videos.
Following this providential encounter we had a little more time to visit the Shrine, go up the Shrine’s tower, and buy a couple of souvenirs for the folks back home before loading the bus and heading to the airport. We then departed Krakow with a newfound love for Poland and made our way to the Eternal City. We arrived in Rome around 8:00pm and immediately headed to our accommodation sites in Segni. Segni is an old city about an hour north of Rome that dates back to the early Roman Empire. The IVE Novitiate House is located at the top of the hill next to a 13th century Church under the patronage of St. Peter. When we arrived at the novitiate house we were greeted by the members of the community and invited to have the traditional IVE Friday night pizza. Knowing that the Americans were coming, they prepared some specially made “American” pizzas: hot dog pizza and French fry pizza. (Surprisingly the French fry pizza was pretty good!)
We may have left Poland, but we have many fond memories of our time there. We find ourselves now in Rome, the Eternal City, the “home” of every Catholic on earth. What is in store for us here will be just as unforgettable.
His Mercy endures forever!
Br. Christopher Etheridge
IVE Seminarian
P.S. Sorry for the late post. It was impossible to find time and internet yesterday.
Fr. Jeff celebrated the Mass, speaking about the connection between John Paul II and the message of mercy that was being entrusted to St. Faustina. After the Mass we had the chance to venerate St. Faustina’s relic that is on display in front of her tomb. We then visited a model cell that the sisters have prepared in order to display some of St. Faustina’s belongings. From there we made our way to the Shrine where we came across a big surprise.
As we were walking to go see the actual Shrine we encountered the IVE group from the Ukraine. Both groups were quite surprised and joyful at meeting one another. After exchanging a few words of greeting and taking a few group photos, we broke out a few songs (and even an accordion) in order to share the joy of Easter. Both groups got “on stage” (actually a set of stairs) to perform for one another before singing “Immaculate Mary” together in their respective languages as a way of honoring Our Lady. As entertaining as it was for each of the groups, other visitors to the Shrine seemed to be just as pleased with the music as various groups stopped to enjoy the songs and capture some videos.
Following this providential encounter we had a little more time to visit the Shrine, go up the Shrine’s tower, and buy a couple of souvenirs for the folks back home before loading the bus and heading to the airport. We then departed Krakow with a newfound love for Poland and made our way to the Eternal City. We arrived in Rome around 8:00pm and immediately headed to our accommodation sites in Segni. Segni is an old city about an hour north of Rome that dates back to the early Roman Empire. The IVE Novitiate House is located at the top of the hill next to a 13th century Church under the patronage of St. Peter. When we arrived at the novitiate house we were greeted by the members of the community and invited to have the traditional IVE Friday night pizza. Knowing that the Americans were coming, they prepared some specially made “American” pizzas: hot dog pizza and French fry pizza. (Surprisingly the French fry pizza was pretty good!)
We may have left Poland, but we have many fond memories of our time there. We find ourselves now in Rome, the Eternal City, the “home” of every Catholic on earth. What is in store for us here will be just as unforgettable.
His Mercy endures forever!
Br. Christopher Etheridge
IVE Seminarian
P.S. Sorry for the late post. It was impossible to find time and internet yesterday.