The International Shrine of Divine Mercy: The Highlight of Our Poland Pilgrimage
Thousands of people huddled in small groups across the expansive lawn. Some reclined on blankets, some had stools or bag chairs, but most stood, eyes glued on the giant screens. The music echoed from large speakers strategically placed so that no matter where we stood, we heard with crystal clarity.
The joy we felt in that monstrous crowd penetrated to our depths. My husband and I stood holding hands, watching, taking it all in, completely in awe. This wasn’t a music festival. This wasn’t a carnival. This wasn’t a party of any form.
This was Divine Mercy Sunday at the International Shrine of Divine Mercy in Poland.
As we walked the grounds and took in the amazingly crowded sight, I felt a particular awe and gratitude toward St. Faustina. While she was on earth, most people, including many of her fellow nuns, thought she was making up her visions or simply delusional. She willingly suffered intensely for Jesus, and this left her weak. Some thought she was lazy and unwilling to work hard in the convent. She knew she wasn’t capable of such a massive task as bringing the message of Divine Mercy to the world. At least, not alone.
Despite obvious limitations and countless worldly obstacles, St. Faustina trusted in Jesus and let him complete the mission through her. It didn’t happen during her earthly life, but because of her child-like trust, Jesus has shared his message of Divine Mercy through St. Faustina, most notably through her diary. When I stood on the grass where she had once stood, looking at the crowd of thousands of international pilgrims, I understood profoundly what absolute wonders and miracles can happen through us if we trust Jesus unfailingly.
Every year on Divine Mercy Sunday (the Sunday after Easter, also called the Octave of Easter), over 20,000 pilgrims from all over the world come to worship here. On April 7th, 2024, my husband and I counted ourselves among the blessed. The shrine was built on the site of the Convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, the convent where Saint Faustina lived and where Jesus visited her to give her the message of his Divine Mercy. To learn more about Divine Mercy and why everyone needs it, read this article.
Our visit to the International Shrine of Divine Mercy was the apex of our Poland pilgrimage. We started our time in the Chapel of St. Joseph, the home of the famous image of Divine Mercy, which hangs just above the earthly remains of St. Faustina. Here we celebrated Mass along with the other English speaking pilgrims from around the world. The Mass was concelebrated by nine priests and served by five seminarians! That alone was a breathtakingly beautiful sight.
After Mass, we explored the grounds including the other chapels, convent cemetery, and Way of the Cross. We took an elevator ride up the tower and enjoyed a stunning panoramic view of Krakow. We even caught a glimpse of the snow-capped Tatra Mountains in the distance. Then we queued up to enter the main basilica for the Hour of Mercy (3 p.m.).
This was the only time that the crowds felt overwhelming as throngs of people rushed inside after the conclusion of a Mass. We found standing room only, though relatively close to the front. My body ached from all the standing and walking we had done that day (and the entire week before as we explored Poland), so I sat on the tile floor. Despite being surrounded by people, Jesus graciously gave me a clear view of his image while we waited.
A few minutes before 3 p.m., music started and the entire congregation knelt on the hard, tile floor. The Blessed Sacrament was processed down the center aisle, and though it was all in Polish, we followed along as best we could. About 15 minutes into the service, my knees and hips couldn’t take it any longer. I sheepishly lowered to the ground, thinking that any minute, everyone else would join me.
The faithful Polish pilgrims remained on their knees for the entire hour! I humbly thanked God for their dedication and sacrifice, recognizing that their piety serves the greater church and the whole world. Next to me knelt two older nuns, unfaltering the entire time on their knees. A man at least 75-years-old was just behind them, and just as steadfast. Polish people of all ages knelt and sang and praised the Lord. It was a true gift to be there and experience that.
About halfway through the hour we began an international Divine Mercy Chaplet. Each decade was prayed in a different language: Polish, English, French, German, and Spanish. One of my favorite moments from the day was during the chaplet. A teen just in front of us kept stealing glances at us. Regardless of the language spoken during the first part of the prayer, we responded in English as the rest of the congregation responded in Polish. This teen recognized the unfamiliar language and couldn’t stop looking at us foreigners!
Our final stop on Divine Mercy Sunday was the lower level of the Basilica. A man stood outfront, stopping people from entering. We asked if we could go in, and he explained that it was only for confession. I had not even imagined we could get to confession on Divine Mercy Sunday. I thought that there wouldn’t be English speaking priests or that the lines would be too long, but there was only one person ahead of us for the English speaking priest.
Even though my husband and I had been to confession within the past 20 days (the window for the special Divine Mercy indulgence), we both jumped at the chance to receive this sacrament on this special feast day at this holy place. Our visit was complete, and more than I could have even hoped for.
Copyright Text and Images 2024: Maria Riley
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