The 100th birthday anniversary of St. John Paul II gave the opportunity to hand over the relics of the Holy Father to the Monastery of Sts. Peter of Alcantara and Anthony of Padua in Węgrów, on July 25, 2020. Passing the relics was made by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Lviv, Fr. Mieczysław Mokrzycki.
The Archbishop emphasized that he accepted the invitation of Bishop Piotr Sawczuk and Parish priest, Fr. Romuald Kosk to enthrone the relics of St. John Paul II with great pleasure. Later in the homily, the Metropolitan of Lviv shared his memories of the Saint, to whom he served as the second personal secretary for the last ten years of the Pope's life. As the Archbishop noted: "St. John Paul II was an exceptional man, (...) he radiated in a peculiar way and influenced others. When you stood by him, you could feel peace, you had a sense of security and kindness”. The Metropolitan Archbishop emphasized that the Saint would remain on his knees before God, he lived in God and for God. Anyone who came into contact with him could immediately notice his deep union with God.
Despite John Paul II could distinctively immerse in prayer and humility, he remained, above all, a man - the Metropolitan emphasized. He would constantly think about the other human being and would be concerned about them. Hence his teaching about the defense of life, the right to work, to freedom and to solidarity - he stated. He added that the Pope took special care of children, adolescents, the elderly and the suffering. The whole life and conduct of the Holy Father was striking. In conclusion, the secretary of the Holy Father noticed that in remembering of the Holy Father there is a hidden request - so that we ourselves would become better. Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki encouraged people to follow St. John Paul II, all the more that we could witness what it meant to walk to holiness.
After the Mass, words of thanks were said to the Metropolitan of Lviv by Ewa Besztak, the staroste of Węgrów poviat, on behalf of the Mayor of Węgrów - by deputy mayor Halina Ulińska, by Senator of the Republic of Poland - Maria Koc together with members of the parish council and members of "the Monastery of Węgrów - the Dialogue Center Association." Also the children from the Catholic kindergarten of St. Anthony, parishioners and Parish priest, Fr. Romuald Kosk expressed their joy that such prominent guest appeared in Węgrów. After the ceremonies, there was held a meeting of people and organizations involved in helping Poles living in the Borderlands.
The ceremony was attended by priests working in the diocese, outside the diocese and outside the Polish borders, headed by Bp. Piotr Sawczuk and Bp. Senior Antoni Dydycz. There were also representatives of the government and parliamentary authorities, including Senator of the Republic of Poland, Maria Koc and the minister in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the government plenipotentiary for Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad Jan Dziedziczak, Director of the Department of Cooperation with the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Jan Badowski, Member of Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Maciej Górski, Deputy President of the Lotto Foundation Board, Tomasz Ojdyn, local government authorities from Węgrów: Staroste of Węgrów poviat, Ewa Besztak, Deputy Mayor of Węgrów, Halina Ulińska and the Mayor of Łochów Robert Gołaszewski as well as creators of culture, people of science, parishioners and guests. Also the veterans from Węgrów graced the event with their presence: major Bogdan Ilczu, captain Jerzy Nowicki - participant of the Warsaw Uprising; born in Lviv, sergeant Tadeusz Kurcyk - president of the Carpathian Infantry Division Ex-Servicemen Association. Members of the Catholic Youth Association parish branch, employees of the Catholic kindergarten, the parish council, the liturgical service with vicars and the parish choir were involved in the setting and splendor of the ceremony. The custodian of the museum and the monastery, Marek Sobisz, was in charge of the ceremony.
The relics - the Holy Father's hair, after the blessing, were placed on the side altar where they will be kept in the coming days. Ultimately, they will rest in the chapel of St. Bonaventure. The ceremony of handing over the relics was part of the fruitful cooperation that has been carried out for years between the Archdiocese of Lviv and the monastery. It is expressed by, among others, the cross-border project.
text (Polish version) and photos - Monika Kanabrodzka
source: drohiczynska.pl
