Thursday, June 27, 2019
Eight sisters from the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the USA together with the provincial Superior Sr. Klara Słonina, pastor, Fr. Leo F. Arnone, Fr. Aron Maghsoudi and accompanying persons began the jubilee pilgrimage to Poland on June 27, 2019. The journey of the American Sisters to the founders of the Congregation was a great opportunity to thank God for 125 years of the existence of the Sacred Heart religious family and 60 years of the service of the Servants of the Heart of Jesus in the United States.
Friday, June 28, 2019, Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
An important place from which the sisters began their pilgrimage was the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Motherhouse on Garncarska Street in Krakow. In the liturgical celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the sisters joined in a joint prayer during the evening Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Cardinal. Stanisław Dziwisz, and after its completion went with the priests and guests to the refectory of the general house, where they were warmly welcomed and received by the Sisters’ Community.
Eight sisters from the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the USA together with the provincial Superior Sr. Klara Słonina, pastor, Fr. Leo F. Arnone, Fr. Aron Maghsoudi and accompanying persons began the jubilee pilgrimage to Poland on June 27, 2019. The journey of the American Sisters to the founders of the Congregation was a great opportunity to thank God for 125 years of the existence of the Sacred Heart religious family and 60 years of the service of the Servants of the Heart of Jesus in the United States.
Friday, June 28, 2019, Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
An important place from which the sisters began their pilgrimage was the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Motherhouse on Garncarska Street in Krakow. In the liturgical celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the sisters joined in a joint prayer during the evening Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Cardinal. Stanisław Dziwisz, and after its completion went with the priests and guests to the refectory of the general house, where they were warmly welcomed and received by the Sisters’ Community.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
On the second day of the pilgrimage before noon, the American Sisters and accompanying people went to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine. On this occasion, guests stopped for a moment of prayer in the underground chapel of St. Kinga.
Saturday was the day of jubilee celebration in the Franciscan communities, which is why the main liturgical celebration took place in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. It was preceded by a conference by Fr. Prof. Dr Hab. Zdzisław Kijas OFM Conv. The Holy Mass was presided over by Bishop Edward Kawa OFM Conv from Lviv, while the homily was given by the Father Provincial Marian Gołąb OFM Conv. The Sisters, enriched with the word of God, encouraged to remain joyful in their vocation, as well as with the beauty of the liturgy, went to the hall of Bl. Jakub Strzemię at Franciszkańska Street for the second part of the Saturday ceremony. The meeting of Sacred Heart Sisters’ communities from Poland, France, Ukraine, USA, Bolivia and Jamaica was an opportunity to familiarize everyone gathered with the daily ministry of Sisters from individual provinces. That evening there were also artistic expressions, because each group shared their musical talents. Sr. Mary Joseph Calore told about the work of the Sisters from the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the interpreter was Mother Agnieszka Kijowska, while the musical side of the American performance was handled by Sr. Mary Daniel Jackson, who, together with the Sisters playing instruments and singing in the choir, prepared a short artistic program. An additional attraction of the evening were the jubilee banners prepared by Sr. Jadwiga Kupczewska, showing by photographs and descriptions the five quarter-centuries of Sacred Heart history and the service of Sisters in individual provinces.
On the second day of the pilgrimage before noon, the American Sisters and accompanying people went to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine. On this occasion, guests stopped for a moment of prayer in the underground chapel of St. Kinga.
Saturday was the day of jubilee celebration in the Franciscan communities, which is why the main liturgical celebration took place in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. It was preceded by a conference by Fr. Prof. Dr Hab. Zdzisław Kijas OFM Conv. The Holy Mass was presided over by Bishop Edward Kawa OFM Conv from Lviv, while the homily was given by the Father Provincial Marian Gołąb OFM Conv. The Sisters, enriched with the word of God, encouraged to remain joyful in their vocation, as well as with the beauty of the liturgy, went to the hall of Bl. Jakub Strzemię at Franciszkańska Street for the second part of the Saturday ceremony. The meeting of Sacred Heart Sisters’ communities from Poland, France, Ukraine, USA, Bolivia and Jamaica was an opportunity to familiarize everyone gathered with the daily ministry of Sisters from individual provinces. That evening there were also artistic expressions, because each group shared their musical talents. Sr. Mary Joseph Calore told about the work of the Sisters from the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the interpreter was Mother Agnieszka Kijowska, while the musical side of the American performance was handled by Sr. Mary Daniel Jackson, who, together with the Sisters playing instruments and singing in the choir, prepared a short artistic program. An additional attraction of the evening were the jubilee banners prepared by Sr. Jadwiga Kupczewska, showing by photographs and descriptions the five quarter-centuries of Sacred Heart history and the service of Sisters in individual provinces.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
On Sunday morning, the American Sisters visited the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki and prayed at the tomb of St. Sr. Faustina Kowalska. In the Hungarian Chapel they participated in the Eucharist celebrated in English by the priests accompanying them. In addition, they visited the other chapels of the Łagiewniki facility and the nearby Sanctuary of St. John Paul II, where at 12:30 the principal ceremony of the Jubilee of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart Sisters took place. Representatives of the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus joined a large group of participants in the Eucharist celebrated under the leadership of Rev. Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski. After the liturgical celebration and the joint dinner, the American Sisters returned to the General House, and in the evening, together with the other sisters in the chapter hall, gave Mother General Olga Podsadnia name day greetings and wishes.
On Sunday morning, the American Sisters visited the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki and prayed at the tomb of St. Sr. Faustina Kowalska. In the Hungarian Chapel they participated in the Eucharist celebrated in English by the priests accompanying them. In addition, they visited the other chapels of the Łagiewniki facility and the nearby Sanctuary of St. John Paul II, where at 12:30 the principal ceremony of the Jubilee of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart Sisters took place. Representatives of the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus joined a large group of participants in the Eucharist celebrated under the leadership of Rev. Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski. After the liturgical celebration and the joint dinner, the American Sisters returned to the General House, and in the evening, together with the other sisters in the chapter hall, gave Mother General Olga Podsadnia name day greetings and wishes.
Monday, July 1, 2019
The next day, after the Holy Mass celebrated in the Krakow church for Mother General Olga, the Sisters went on a pilgrimage to places related to Saint Joseph Sebastian Pelczar. In Przemyśl, they were welcomed by the professed Sisters, together with Sr. Joanna Wolak and Sister Novices along with their Mistress of Novices, Sr. Damaris Kolebuk. After a joint meeting, the guests went to visit Rev. Archbishop Adam Szal, where they were warmly received and shown around the historic sites of the Przemyśl archbishop's palace. On this occasion, they visited the Przemyśl Arch-cathedral and Cathedral crypt as well as the Archdiocesan Museum.
The next day, after the Holy Mass celebrated in the Krakow church for Mother General Olga, the Sisters went on a pilgrimage to places related to Saint Joseph Sebastian Pelczar. In Przemyśl, they were welcomed by the professed Sisters, together with Sr. Joanna Wolak and Sister Novices along with their Mistress of Novices, Sr. Damaris Kolebuk. After a joint meeting, the guests went to visit Rev. Archbishop Adam Szal, where they were warmly received and shown around the historic sites of the Przemyśl archbishop's palace. On this occasion, they visited the Przemyśl Arch-cathedral and Cathedral crypt as well as the Archdiocesan Museum.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
The next point on the pilgrim's route was Korczyna, the hometown of Bishop Pelczar. On Tuesday, the American Sisters participated in the Eucharist celebrated in the parish church. After a joint prayer, Fr. Pastor Edward Sznaj showed visitors around the temple telling many interesting stories related to this place and the person of the Holy Father Founder.
On the way back, the sisters stopped in Wadowice; in the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Museum "Family Home of John Paul II", and then also at the Passion and Marian Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.
A complement to spiritual and intellectual impressions was a visit guided by General Assistant, Sr. Secretary Serafia Pajerska to our Sister’s Krakow Museum of St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, located in the Sisters’ Generalate.
The next point on the pilgrim's route was Korczyna, the hometown of Bishop Pelczar. On Tuesday, the American Sisters participated in the Eucharist celebrated in the parish church. After a joint prayer, Fr. Pastor Edward Sznaj showed visitors around the temple telling many interesting stories related to this place and the person of the Holy Father Founder.
On the way back, the sisters stopped in Wadowice; in the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Museum "Family Home of John Paul II", and then also at the Passion and Marian Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.
A complement to spiritual and intellectual impressions was a visit guided by General Assistant, Sr. Secretary Serafia Pajerska to our Sister’s Krakow Museum of St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, located in the Sisters’ Generalate.
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
The sixth day of the Sacred Heart pilgrimage was dedicated to Bl. Mother of Klara Szczęsna. After a few hours' journey, the Sisters came to Lubowidz, the family parish of the Mother Co-founder, where they were greeted by Fr. Tadeusz Nikicin, priest and vicar Fr. Grzegorz Ślesicki and members of the Serbian Secular Family and a large group of parishioners. Before the Holy Mass, Fr. Grzegorz acquainted the Sisters with the history of this place, presented short biographies of saints from the Lubów parish and surrounding area. He also showed the historic baptistery, at which Ludwika Szczęsna was baptized. The focal point of the day was Holy Mass enriched with music in English. After a short break for dinner, the pilgrims set off on a journey in the footsteps of Bl. Mother Klara Szczęsna. Through Cieszki and Borczyn they reached Sztok, stopping on the way at the plaques commemorating the figure of the Blessed Countrywoman. In the last of the above-mentioned towns, the Pastor solemnly consecrated the renewed tablet and cross, after which the pilgrims went on a further journey to the Shrine of Our Lady of Żuromin. Thanks to the kindness of the organist, the Sisters were able to visit the church, to which young Ludwika often directed her steps and see the famous image of the Holy Mother and Saint. Antoni. Together with Fr. Grzegorz Ślesicki, the Sisters also went to the cemetery in Poniatów to pray at the grave of Fr. Kazimierz Pomirski, who, according to historical sources, gave the sacrament of baptism to Ludwika Szczęsna. (Photos, courtesy of Katarzna Krzywda.)
The sixth day of the Sacred Heart pilgrimage was dedicated to Bl. Mother of Klara Szczęsna. After a few hours' journey, the Sisters came to Lubowidz, the family parish of the Mother Co-founder, where they were greeted by Fr. Tadeusz Nikicin, priest and vicar Fr. Grzegorz Ślesicki and members of the Serbian Secular Family and a large group of parishioners. Before the Holy Mass, Fr. Grzegorz acquainted the Sisters with the history of this place, presented short biographies of saints from the Lubów parish and surrounding area. He also showed the historic baptistery, at which Ludwika Szczęsna was baptized. The focal point of the day was Holy Mass enriched with music in English. After a short break for dinner, the pilgrims set off on a journey in the footsteps of Bl. Mother Klara Szczęsna. Through Cieszki and Borczyn they reached Sztok, stopping on the way at the plaques commemorating the figure of the Blessed Countrywoman. In the last of the above-mentioned towns, the Pastor solemnly consecrated the renewed tablet and cross, after which the pilgrims went on a further journey to the Shrine of Our Lady of Żuromin. Thanks to the kindness of the organist, the Sisters were able to visit the church, to which young Ludwika often directed her steps and see the famous image of the Holy Mother and Saint. Antoni. Together with Fr. Grzegorz Ślesicki, the Sisters also went to the cemetery in Poniatów to pray at the grave of Fr. Kazimierz Pomirski, who, according to historical sources, gave the sacrament of baptism to Ludwika Szczęsna. (Photos, courtesy of Katarzna Krzywda.)
Thursday, July 4, 2019
After a day of sightseeing and prayer, the Sisters went to spend the night with the community at Włocławek. Adopted by Sister Imakulata Napiórkowska and local sisters according to old Polish hospitality, the next day after Holy Mass in the convent chapel, they went to Puck, and from there to Gdańsk.
After a day of sightseeing and prayer, the Sisters went to spend the night with the community at Włocławek. Adopted by Sister Imakulata Napiórkowska and local sisters according to old Polish hospitality, the next day after Holy Mass in the convent chapel, they went to Puck, and from there to Gdańsk.
Friday, July 5, 2019
On Friday, the Sisters set off with a guide to visit monuments of religious architecture. They visited the Arch-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, famous for its nineteenth-century Oliwa organs; they prayed at the Amber Altar of the Mother of God in the Basilica of St. Bridget; and they admired the Gothic interior of St. Mary's Basilica. When they went to Solidarity Square, the Sisters also honored the fallen shipyard workers at the monument commemorating the events of 1970. In the evening they returned to Puck and stopped for a short time on the market and pier.
On Friday, the Sisters set off with a guide to visit monuments of religious architecture. They visited the Arch-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, famous for its nineteenth-century Oliwa organs; they prayed at the Amber Altar of the Mother of God in the Basilica of St. Bridget; and they admired the Gothic interior of St. Mary's Basilica. When they went to Solidarity Square, the Sisters also honored the fallen shipyard workers at the monument commemorating the events of 1970. In the evening they returned to Puck and stopped for a short time on the market and pier.
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Saturday, July 6, 2019
On Saturday morning after the Holy Mass in the parish Church of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul in Puck, the pilgrims went on their way to Częstochowa. Visiting the chapel of the Miraculous Image of the Mother of God, the Sisters walked the altar on their knees and entrusted their intentions to our Lady of Jasna Góra. After visiting the basilica and celebrating together the Way of the Cross, they set off for the return journey to Krakow.
On Saturday morning after the Holy Mass in the parish Church of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul in Puck, the pilgrims went on their way to Częstochowa. Visiting the chapel of the Miraculous Image of the Mother of God, the Sisters walked the altar on their knees and entrusted their intentions to our Lady of Jasna Góra. After visiting the basilica and celebrating together the Way of the Cross, they set off for the return journey to Krakow.
Sunday, July 7, 2019
One of the last cities on the American pilgrimage route to which the Sisters went on Sunday morning, was Zakopane. However, before the Sisters came to the local house on John Paul II Street, they visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptówki.
After a warm welcome by Sr. Avita Witeska and the Zakopane community of Sisters, and after Holy Mass in the convent chapel and meeting in the home circle, the guests visited the monuments of Zakopane and went to Gubałówka.
One of the last cities on the American pilgrimage route to which the Sisters went on Sunday morning, was Zakopane. However, before the Sisters came to the local house on John Paul II Street, they visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptówki.
After a warm welcome by Sr. Avita Witeska and the Zakopane community of Sisters, and after Holy Mass in the convent chapel and meeting in the home circle, the guests visited the monuments of Zakopane and went to Gubałówka.
Monday, July 8, 2019
The last full day in Poland was a free day when Sisters were able to visit the quaint shops in Krakow or visit the somber monument which is Auschwitz.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
The day of departure from Poland for Sisters' from the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus began with the Holy Mass celebrated in our church on Garncarska Street in Krakow. During the farewell meeting in the refectory of the General House, the American Sisters presented a short artistic program and thanked General Olga Podsadnia and all the Sacred Heart communities who welcomed them kindly. Mother General Olga also addressed a special word to the sisters: thanking them for their presence and participation in the Jubilee celebrations and wishing them the blessed fruits of their pilgrimage on Polish soil. Before leaving, the Sisters also visited the sick sisters in the religious house of the Motherhouse and gave them a musical gift.
The jubilee pilgrimage of the Sisters of the Americas from the American province took place thanks to the kindness of the Mother General and her Administration and the communities whose hospitality the Sisters enjoyed on the pilgrim route. The trip was organized by the provincial Superior Sr. Klara Słonina in cooperation with Sister Marcelina Zemła and the Sisters who served as drivers and translators.
The last full day in Poland was a free day when Sisters were able to visit the quaint shops in Krakow or visit the somber monument which is Auschwitz.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
The day of departure from Poland for Sisters' from the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus began with the Holy Mass celebrated in our church on Garncarska Street in Krakow. During the farewell meeting in the refectory of the General House, the American Sisters presented a short artistic program and thanked General Olga Podsadnia and all the Sacred Heart communities who welcomed them kindly. Mother General Olga also addressed a special word to the sisters: thanking them for their presence and participation in the Jubilee celebrations and wishing them the blessed fruits of their pilgrimage on Polish soil. Before leaving, the Sisters also visited the sick sisters in the religious house of the Motherhouse and gave them a musical gift.
The jubilee pilgrimage of the Sisters of the Americas from the American province took place thanks to the kindness of the Mother General and her Administration and the communities whose hospitality the Sisters enjoyed on the pilgrim route. The trip was organized by the provincial Superior Sr. Klara Słonina in cooperation with Sister Marcelina Zemła and the Sisters who served as drivers and translators.
