The Speaker of the Sejm, together with the members of the Presidium of the Sejm and the MPs participated in the mass of thanksgiving for the Baptism of Poland 1050 years ago at the Jasna Góra Sanctuary. The ceremony was also attended by the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda and his wife, the Marshal of the Senate Stanisław Karczewski, the Prime Minister Beata Szydło and the members of the Council of Ministers as well as numerous faithful.

The solemn liturgy was preceded by the performance of "Bogurodzica" - the oldest Polish religious song associated with the beginning of Christianity in our country.

In his homily, Pope Francis referred to Poland's centuries-old and troubled history: - Your nation has overcome many difficult moments on its way in unity (...) Here, at Jasna Góra, as in Cana, Mary offers us her closeness and helps us discover what we lack to live life to the full (...) Let us think of the many sons and daughters of your nation: of the martyrs who made the defenseless power of the Gospel shine forth, of the simple yet extraordinary people who were able to testify to their love of God (...) like John Paul II and St. Faustina. The Holy Father also referred to the anniversary of the Baptism of Poland: - It is significant that the present anniversary of your nation's baptism coincides exactly with the Jubilee of Mercy. (Thinking of the gift of a thousand years rich in faith, it is wonderful, above all, to give thanks to God, who has walked with your people, taking them by the hand, as a father takes his son's hand and accompanies him in many situations.

Holy Father Francis also met with Polish authorities, diplomatic corps and pilgrims at Wawel Castle.

Pope Francis has arrived in Poland for World Youth Day, which is being organized - for the 31st time - in Krakow from July 26-31 this year. It was first initiated in 1985 by St. John Paul II in Rome. According to the WYD Organizing Committee over 350 thousand participants from 187 countries have confirmed their participation. In Poland, WYD was already held once in 1991 in Czestochowa.

The year 2016 was established by the Sejm as the Year of the Jubilee of the 1050th Anniversary of the Baptism of Poland. As we read in the resolution: The Baptism of the Polanian ruler and his court, and consequently the Baptism of Poland, took place on the Paschal Vigil, April 14, 966. This act was decisive for the process of unification of the Polish tribes under the rule of the Piasts and for the formation of the Christian identity of our nation.

 

 

World Youth Day