Year of Mercy Pilgrimage - Karakow - Day 1

Today our pilgrims arrived in Krakow and after gathering the two different groups at the airport (they were on two separate flights), we proceeded directly to the Divine Mercy Shrine - what our pilgrimage is all about!

The development of this sanctuary was marked by the beatification and canonization of St. Faustina, as well as several Papal Pilgrimages by St. John Paul.  He spent time there as a worker (1941-44).  He paid many visits later when he was a priest and bishop of Krakow.  On August 17, 2002, John Paul II consecrated the new Basilica and entrusted the world to Divine Mercy.

The Basilica resembles a ship and gives the impression of a contemporary “Arc of the Covenant” where everyone who trusts in the Divine Mercy can find salvation.  Its symbol is the image of the Divine Mercy (a copy) fixed over the tabernacle in the shape of the earth, encircled by shrubs under sudden gusts of wind. 

On the left side of the nave is the Act of Entrustment of the World to the Divine Mercy used by Pope John Paul.  We join him in consecrating the world, and ourselves, to the Divine Mercy of God.

God, merciful Father,

in your Son, Jesus Christ,

you have revealed your love

and poured it out upon us

in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

We entrust to you today the destiny of the world

and of every man and woman.

Bend down to us sinners,

heal our weakness, conquer all evil,

and grant that all the peoples of the earth

may experience your mercy.

In You, the Triune God,

may they ever find the source of hope.

Eternal Father,

by the Passion and Resurrection of your Son,

have mercy on us and upon the whole world!

Amen.

Here is our group after our Mass at the Divine Mercy Shrine.