Military Ordinary on pilgrimage to Częstochowa in Poland
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- Date: 15.08.2019
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The last two legs of the 10-day 28th Military Walking Pilgrimage from Warsaw to Częstochowa were joined in by the Ordinary of the Slovak Armed Forces and Armed Corps, Mons František Rábek. The approx. 330km-long pilgrimage route was undertaken by 500 servicemen and women on 5-14 August 2019.
Ordinary of the Slovak Armed Forces and Armed Corps Mons František Rábek said: “This pilgrimage does not finish on Częstochowa’s Jasna Góra [Luminous Mount], but it should continue inside us amidst our close ones at home and at our work places, so that we can fulfil its mission by demonstrating love and service to others.” He added that soldiers had managed to step out of their comfort zone and found time to reflect on their lives and faith. He appreciated the fact that Slovak pilgrims had made it to the destination despite walking in high temperatures and heavy rain.
This year, Poland’s most important walking pilgrimage attracted over 500 servicemen and women. Of them, approx. 80 were from Germany, the USA, Lithuania and Slovakia. They were joined in by Croatian soldiers for the final Holy Mass, which was celebrated before the last leg of the pilgrimage at the Sanctuary of Przeprośna Górka by Bishop Józef Guzdek (POL), Bishop František Rábek, and Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services William James Muhm (USA). Also in attendance at the Holy Mass were State Secretary of the Polish Ministry of National Defence Wojciech Skurkiewicz and Deputy Chief of Defence Div Gen Jan Śliwka (POL F).
Ordinary of the Slovak Armed Forces and Armed Corps Mons František Rábek said: “This pilgrimage does not finish on Częstochowa’s Jasna Góra [Luminous Mount], but it should continue inside us amidst our close ones at home and at our work places, so that we can fulfil its mission by demonstrating love and service to others.” He added that soldiers had managed to step out of their comfort zone and found time to reflect on their lives and faith. He appreciated the fact that Slovak pilgrims had made it to the destination despite walking in high temperatures and heavy rain.
This year, Poland’s most important walking pilgrimage attracted over 500 servicemen and women. Of them, approx. 80 were from Germany, the USA, Lithuania and Slovakia. They were joined in by Croatian soldiers for the final Holy Mass, which was celebrated before the last leg of the pilgrimage at the Sanctuary of Przeprośna Górka by Bishop Józef Guzdek (POL), Bishop František Rábek, and Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services William James Muhm (USA). Also in attendance at the Holy Mass were State Secretary of the Polish Ministry of National Defence Wojciech Skurkiewicz and Deputy Chief of Defence Div Gen Jan Śliwka (POL F).
