The pilgrims concluded their Sunday with a profoundly moving visit to Jasna Góra, the spiritual heart of Poland and the country’s most important Marian shrine. This sacred place is home to the venerated image of the Black Madonna, beloved as the Mother of God, Queen of Poland, and tender Mother to all humanity.
In the peaceful and prayerful atmosphere of the shrine, the group had the privilege of participating in the Apel Jasnogórski (Jasna Góra Appeal), a cherished national evening prayer broadcast live on Polish television each day.
During the service, a powerful reflection was offered by one of the priests. His words spoke to the heart of our faith, to the meaning of Mary’s wounds, and to our own. The translated text of his reflection is shared below.
At the conclusion of the prayer, Bishop Joseph Dabrowski, along with Archbishop Wacław Depo offered a special blessing to all the pilgrims.
What happened, Mary? Who did this to you?
It hurts to look at your scars.
It’s painful to see you not as bright, joyful, and smooth,
but as the Black Madonna of Jasna Góra.
Why don’t you cover your cheek?
Why do you reveal your wounds to us?
Why don’t you turn your face to show only what is beautiful?
Why don’t you pretend that everything is fine?
Why don’t you simply say, “It will be all right”?
Was your path so difficult
that it marked you forever?
Was it really so hard
to flee to safety,
to visit Elizabeth,
to hold your lifeless Son in your arms?
Was it really so hard to walk among us, your children?
Your Son gave sight to the blind,
made the lame walk,
healed the lepers.
And you,
You needed so little.
I don’t understand your choice.
I don’t know if you ask Him for it.
Or maybe… maybe the problem is with me.
Maybe I’m the one who wants to hide my wounds.
Maybe I don’t want my scars to be seen.
But they are there…
Scars from judgment,
from harm, from abuse.
Scars of being misunderstood,
scars of loneliness.
Scars of sin, of pride.
And they are part of our lives.
Thank you, Mother, for your courage.
Thank you for not pretending.
For not saying “It doesn’t hurt.”
For not hiding your face.
Teach us, please, that same courage:
to reveal our wounded cheek.
Teach us to bring our wounds to the Cross,
to die the same death,
a death of love.
Teach us to understand ourselves and our calling,
to find relief and healing
in closeness to Christ.
May our wounds not be a source of shame,
but a cause for glory.
Your path was difficult.
That’s why we ask you, Mary:
We open all our doors to you—
especially here in our Diocese of Sosnowiec,
as we prepare for the pilgrimage of your holy image.
Enter our homes.
Walk the road with us.
Once again, flee with us to Egypt,
from the place of death to the land of salvation.
Stop at the homes of the barren Elizabeth,
those who give everything,
and still see no fruit.
Stop where perseverance has run out,
where apathy and resignation have taken root.
Teach us to trust your Son as deeply as you did,
never to let go,
even – especially – when everything seems to be dying.
We want to be a Church
that, like Zechariah, encounters you and regains its voice,
to proclaim the wonders of the Father.
We want to leap for joy, like John in Elizabeth’s womb,
to rejoice at the birth of prophets and priests
preparing the way for the Lord.
Give us, Mother, first the courage to live in truth.
Remind us who we are.
Let our wounded, uncovered cheeks
shine with the light of your Son.
Mother who knows us,
who walks with your children,
be with us
on the roads of life.
AMEN
See the full album of photos on our Flickr page https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCiG5y
