Bishop Edward Malesic and Father Dan Schlegel, secretary and vicar for clergy and religious, are journeying with about 60 faithful from the Diocese of Cleveland on a pilgrimage to Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. The trip was organized by the Catholic Community Foundation. Highlights of days 4-5 are featured in the photo gallery above and in the story below.
On Sept. 2 – the fourth day of the pilgrimage -- the group explored the second largest city in Poland: Krakow.
The day began with Mass at the Basilica of Corpus Christi. Father Schlegel’s homily focused on keeping the least among us -- the most vulnerable -- in the center rather than on the fringes.
After Mass, the group toured many of the almost 200 Catholic churches in the city.
The morning ended in the Old Towne Center. This picturesque part of the old city was not destroyed during World War II, which allowed the group to see many of the older buildings. The afternoon was free for the pilgrims to continue touring Krakow.
The pilgrims split into two groups, with one heading across the river to the Jewish Ghetto. Thousands of Jewish people were moved into the ghetto and walls were built to keep them in during the war. They visited Ghetto Heroes Square, where many people were taken on the way to the ghetto or the camps and were forced to stand for hours. Today, large iron chairs are located in the square so that visitors always will have a place to sit.
Next, the group went to Oskar Schindler’s factory, which was just outside the ghetto walls. Schindler is credited with saving many Jewish lives. His story was the basis for the Steven Spielberg movie “Schlinder’s List.” Schindler once said, “Life makes sense as long as you save people.”
Deacon Dennis Conrad said the quote by Schindler reminded the group of Father Schlegel’s homily from that morning, when he said it is only when we take action to move those in need into the center that our lives make sense.
The next day, Sept. 3 – the fifth day of the pilgrimage -- started in Krakow. The group journeyed to the Convent of the Sisters of our Lady of Mercy. St. Faustina lived at the convent and there she received her visions of the Divine Mercy of Jesus.
The group attended Mass at a chapel in the basilica. During the Mass, Bishop Malesic and Father Schlegel blessed those who were celebrating wedding anniversaries.
After Mass, Sister Maja Vianeas shared some information about St. Faustina and her visions. St. Faustina was told by Jesus that she was to make the people ready for his second coming. Jesus asked her to tell the people of his love and mercy and that he needed a new congregation. This new congregation was to consist of contemplatives, those who completed acts of mercy and those who love their neighbor.
Deacon Conrad said meditating on her visions brought the group back to the Mass in which married couples were blessed. The role of the married couple is to help each other on their journey to the Father through prayer, acts of mercy and love, he explained. Marriage as a vocation is one way to be a part of the new congregation from St. Faustina’s vision, he added.
Later, the group traveled to the birthplace of Pope St. John Paul II in Wadowice. The home has been turned into a museum about his life. The pilgrims also toured his home parish, which is now the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Both Pope St. John Paul II and St. Faustina taught that we must trust in Jesus, Deacon Conrad said.
(Photos and information provided by Father Dan Schlegel and Deacon Dennis Conrad.)