The August Great Indulgence in Kalwaria Pacławska, Poland, lasted an extra day because of the way the dates fell in this year’s calendar. On Sunday, August 16, the friars of Kalwaria Pacławska celebrated a Mass to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. The Most Reverend Piotr KLESZCZ, OFM Conv., Auxiliary Bishop of Łódź, Poland, presided.
In his homily, the bishop stressed the relevance of St. Francis in a world marked by materialism, hedonism, violence, wars, and the exploitation of creation. St. Francis, poor, humble, and grateful, had placed God at the center of his existence and made the Gospel his way of life.
“People called St. Francis an alter Christus, that is, ‘another Christ.’ May this also be true of us, so that when people look at us, they may see Christ in us and, through Him, desire to draw closer to God,” urged Bishop KLESZCZ.
After the Mass, the Sanok Chamber Choir, conducted by Professor Elżbieta PRZYSTASZ, performed the Akathist in honor of St. Francis. Earlier, relics of St. Francis had been solemnly carried into the church.
As part of the celebrations of the Year of St. Francis, the premiere of an oratorio entitled Life Is a Gift also took place, with music by Andrzej GŁOWIENKA, who also wrote the libretto together with Friar Andrzej ZAJĄC, OFM Conv. The work was performed by artists associated with La Scala in Milan, the Sanok Chamber Choir, and the Podkarpacie Chamber Orchestra.
During August 11-15, thousands of pilgrims participated in Masses, processions, the traditional pilgrimages along the Way of the Passion of the Lord and the Way of the Sepulcher of the Mother of God, Marian devotions, and musical events.
The liturgies were presided over by the Most Reverend Edward KAWA, OFM Conv., Bishop of Kamyanets-Podilskyi, Ukraine; the Most Reverend Antonio Guido FILIPAZZI, Apostolic Nuncio to Poland; the Most Reverend Adam SZAL, Archbishop of Przemyśl, Poland; and Friar Mariusz KOZIOŁ, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow).
Kalwaria Pacławska is often called the “Jerusalem of the East.” It has been one of Poland’s most important pilgrimage centers for more than three centuries. The August Great Indulgence is one of the most important and widely attended events organized by the Conventual Franciscans.
Friar Jan Maria SZEWEK
