On April 9-10 2016, at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Cracow-Łagiewniki, for the eleventh time, a prayer vigil of the missionary lay associates and friends of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters took place. This Vigil was, as usually, organized by Sr. Consolata Majewska, SAC. Theme was the currently experienced Year of Divine Mercy. To the vigil came about 1000 of our associates, friends, benefactors and delegations of our fellow-sisters from different communities.
The Vigil began with the Act of Trust to Divine Mercy, which was led by Bishop Jan Zając, one of the Bishops from Krakow. Then the participants gathered in front of the Basilica in Łagiewniki, and passed through the Door of Mercy. This passing was a spiritual return to the sources of Baptism and the rediscovery of the treasure of our faith.
The divine service was presided by Monsignor Francis Ślusarczyk, custodian of the Shrine of the Divine Mercy. The program of the Vigil was very rich in content, related to the mercy of God. The first conference was given by Fr. prof. Czesław Parzyszek, SAC, stimulating the hearts of the listeners to an ever deeper entrustment to the Divine Mercy. Then began the service under the motto: “Come to the source of Divine Mercy”. After a short talk by Fr. Jan Antoł, under the title “Wash me, O Lord, and fill me with grace”, the faithful solemnly renewed their baptismal promises. The talk was aimed at a new understanding of what the Holy Baptism means in the life of every Christian, and referred to the 1050th anniversary of Polish Christianity.
Next on the agenda was the concert of a group of young singers; They sang the most beautiful Polish religious and patriotic songs, which introduced the faithful in the atmosphere of spiritual reflection and recalled the most sublime moments in the history of the Polish nation. The next conference was given by Fr. Dr. Albert Glaeser, who called, like St. Faustina Kowalska to the always new confidence in the mercy of God. At midnight there was a solemn concelebrated Mass, presided over by Fr. prof. Czesław Parzyszek, SAC. The homily was held by Fr. Dr. Albert Glaeser. Immediately after the Mass, each participant of the Vigil had the opportunity to receive an individual blessing of the Blessed Sacrament. Next on the agenda was the Road of Mercy, on which the wakeful immersed themselves in the presence of the Divine Mercy. This was followed by a missioning, under the motto “Speak to the whole world about My Mercy” (Diary of St. Faustina, No. 1046). The devotion “Hours in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary” ended this year’s vigil in Łagiewniki.
Sr. Justyna Radulska, novice
