On Saturday, August 13th, at 7.30 a.m., at St. Michael church in Chicago took place the Holy Mass, opening the 24th Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Merrillville, IN. The Holy Eucharist was presided over by the Most Rev. Bishop Edward Janiak from Wrocław, and concelebrated by many diocesan and religious priests working in the United States. Among them was Fr. Józef Zuziak SDS, one of the founders of the Pilgrimage and its guide; Fr. Bronisław Jakubiec SDS, general consultor of the Society of the Divine Savior, and also a guide of the Pilgrimage; Fr. Piotr Filas SDS, provincial superior and Fr. Marcin Czyż SDS, who works in Mexico, as well as Fr. Joe Rodriguez SDS from the North American Pro-province accompanied by six candidates and novices.
USA, Merrillville: "Totus Tuus, Maria" - 24th Pilgrimage on foot from Chicago to Merrillville
USA, Merrillville: "Totus Tuus, Maria" - 24th Pilgrimage on foot from Chicago to Merrillville
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This year the motto of the pilgrimage is: Totus Tuus, Maria and the main intention is thanksgiving for his beatification, which took place earlier this year. The Pilgrims carried on their way the relics of the Blessed Pope. Majority of pilgrims have Polish origins, but there are also pilgrims representing other nations. They come from Illinois, Florida, Colorado and other states. This year their number exceeded six thousand.
The Polish Salvatorians are guardians of the Sanctuary in Merrillville. On Sunday, after two days of the spiritual retreat, the pilgrims arrived to Merrillville (32 miles away from Chicago), where they were welcomed by Fr. Łukasz Kleczka SDS, local superior, and their family and friends. In the Eucharist, presided over by the Most Rev. Edward Janiak, and closing the Pilgrimage, participated about ten thousands faithful.