World Youth Day 2016 My Pilgrimage to Kraków, Poland

Day One & Two: On July 18 th, the group (at least part of us) departed on our way from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. Later that day, we boarded the plane to Munich, Germany. Due to the time difference, we boarded the next plane to Wrocław, Poland and arrived mid- afternoon on the 19 th.

Day Three: On July 20 th, we took a morning tour of the Panorama Racławicka as well as touring the market square in Wrocław. In the afternoon, we travelled to Trzebnica to meet our homestay families.

Day Four: July 21 st was the day that all the pilgrim groups in Trzebnica took a hike up one of the mountains in the Góry Stołowe mountain range. We attended mass shortly after in a small town near the mountain range with a beautiful church.

Day Five: A sports day was planned on the 22 nd, and our pilgrim group rallied against others from Albania, Ukraine, Germany, and some groups from across Canada. Later that day, Father Paul led everyone in a beautiful English mass, and I had the privilege of planning and singing the psalm. *side note: I had one night to plan it, and all I had to go off were the words…*

Day Six: July 23 rd involved some time to explore Wrócław in the morning. In the late afternoon, we attended an English Mass in the University Church, then we proceeded to the sports stadium where the Singing Europe concert was being held. One of the main performers was Sister Cristina who won the Voice – Italy!

Day Seven: The morning of the 24 th was spent touring the beautiful seminary in Bagno. Afterwards, Sunday mass was celebrated in the basilica in Trzebnica. The homestay family I was lucky to be staying with brought me and my friend Anna to their family’s Sunday dinner where we enjoyed a delicious turkey lunch. Later in the day, there was a festival held in the main street of Trzebnica and our group performed our national anthem and a fun song from some of our youth retreats.

Bagno It was quite intriguing to be able to visit the seminary where Fr. Jan, Fr. Paul, and Fr. Konrad were before they became priests.

The Welcoming Entertainment at Bagno

Day Eight: The morning of the 25 th was filled with excitement and sadness as we attended the final mass for the Days in the Diocese. In the afternoon, we took a train to Wrócław, then took the final train to Kraków.

Day Nine: On the 26 th, we took a tour of Kraków, then in the evening, joined around 800,000 other pilgrims for the Opening Mass of the World Youth Day Celebrations.

Day Ten & Eleven: July 27 th and 28 th were spent in morning catechesis and mass, followed by lunch and various workshops, reconciliation opportunities, and many other interesting venues.

Day Eleven (con’t): We also had the opportunity to visit the St. John Paul II memorial site as well as the Divine Mercy Shrine. In the afternoon, everyone gathered to meet Pope Francis for the first time.

Day Twelve: On July 29 th, the pilgrims gathered at the location of the Opening Mass and everyone participated in the Stations of the Cross.

Day Thirteen & Fourteen: It was an early start to our morning on the 30 th, as we had to walk around 14 kilometres to Campus Misericordiae (Camp of Mercy) for the Vigil and Final Mass with Pope Francis.

Day Fifteen: For our last full day in Kraków, we travelled to Aushwitz-Oswiecim for a tour of the camps.

Thank You I would like to thank everyone in the parish for their prayers and support. I want to especially thank the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Women’s League, the Noodle Club, as well as all the people that helped me fund 85% of my entire trip. A special thanks is needed for Daniel and Dominika Darowska who opened up their lovely home for myself and another pilgrim. Lastly, I would like to extend my thanks to Fr. Jan for his continued enthusiasm and support from the very beginning. Altogether, this trip was breathtaking, inspiring, and overall a life-changing experience for me. It is something that I will keep with me in my heart and mind forever.