The 30th Jubilee Pilgrimage of Przemysl Archdiocese set off to St. Mary of Czestochowa on Sunday, 4th July. Seven inhabitants of the Przemysl St. Brother Albert Shelter also decided to partake. The record holder, Pawel Maroszek, takes part in the pilgrimage for the 15th time.

 

 

This is an account of one day of the pilgrimage by Robert Hass, the Vice-President of the Przemysl Circle:

 

On Thursday, 8th July 2010 the participants of the Przemysl walking pilgrimage to Jasna Góra, including seven of our inhabitants who cope well with the hardships of this journey, are approaching the halfway point. Today is the day of prayer for the sobriety of Polish people. The motto of the day is "The need for prayer for sobriety". This is the day I start walking with members of Przemysl Archdiocese KWC Movement (Liberation of Man Crusade) from Paszczyna to Zasow (Debica County) and I do 22 kilometres.

 

At 8.15 in Paszczyna, at the stadium of the local "Paszczyniak" we take part in the Holy Mass directed by Bishop Adam Szal. Everyone is listening with the utmost attention to the Homily of the Diocesan Priest of Sobriety, Prelate Stanislaw Zarych. "He is a changed man" can be heard of those who have freed themselves from their addiction. "Let's be sober; a man often acts against his common sense, he ruins his own life and lives of others. It sometimes happens that when a man strays from the straight and narrow path he no longer can find the right way in his life. Then we need another man and a prayer, a humble request to Good...". These are just a few ideas mentioned in the Homily. Later on, during the march of former alcohol addicts and others we hear about other addictions - cigarettes, drugs, gambling and the Internet.

 

During our stops we experience unusual Polish hospitality, we are offered everything we need: food, drink, home-made cakes, water to wash and refresh ourselves. Dinner for the Kazimierz group of 150 people in Nagoszyn is delicious and generous - we have borscht, chicken soup, roast chicken, salad, cakes, and tea, coffee and cold drinks. Tables filled with food and drink were outside, a neighbor offered a place to sit and we could also use his bathroom. Travelling in such conditions is a pleasure. I'm only saddened by the fact that outbuildings on farms are empty or have been converted into garages, and beautiful lawns are covered with plastic decorations: horses, storks, ducks, turtles, bunnies, dwarves etc.

 

At 4.30 pm in Zasów we say goodbye to our companions, we wish them determination in their efforts and promise to pass greeting to those who haven't taken part in the pilgrimage and we come back to Przemysl."