Another Wooden Altar

"Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give unto you,
let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27

Ostrów Tumski, Poznań, Poland

God's Power

"He is able (...) to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him,
seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Hebrews 7:25

 

Our Lady of Gietrzwald

Gietrzwałd is a village (founded in 1352) in northeastern Poland known for its Marian Sanctuary and the miraculous Painting of Our Lady.

The village became famous after the appearances of the Holy Mary: from 27 June to 16 September 1877, the manifestations of Our Lady were seen by two girls - Justyna Szafryńska and Barbara Samułowska. Mother of God spoke to them in Polish and asked them to pray the Rosary every day.

You need to know that Poland did not exist as a country then (Gietrzwałd and other places of the area were under Prussian rule at that time), and speaking Polish was forbidden. Furthermore, Holy Mary had always been worshiped by the Catholics of Poland. That was why the appearances experienced by the two villagers were a very meaningful message to Poles.

I have also visited the Sanctuary a few times. Many people arrive there daily (about a million pilgrims a year) - to pray and ask Our Lady for what they need, to visit the local church and also to get some water from the miraculous creek blessed by Virgin Mary. The water itself is supposed to have healing properties. That is why, wherever you come to the Sanctuary, you can see a long line of people holding plastic bottles and other containers, queuing to fill them up with the creek water.

Things to see in Gietrzwałd:

• The church - Basilica was built soon after the village was founded. Through the years, the church was redecorated and rebuilt many times. Some parts of its Gothic construction have been preserved. 
• The painting of Our Lady - created in the 16th century, author unknown. The painting has been decorated with silver layers and precious stones.
• The St. Joseph's Chapel, built in 1877.
• In the village: wooden house #13, built in 19th century, house #33 (1877), houses #16 and #31 (beginning of 20th century)

 Credits: Photos - postcards and bookmark from Gietrzwałd, bought at the Sanctuary.

Our Lady Patiently Listening in Rokitno

Theme: Our Lady Patiently Listening
From: Marian Sanctuary in Rokitno, Poland
Year: 2005

The town of Rokitno (Lubusz Voivodeship in Poland) is known for its Marian Sanctuary visited by many pilgrims who are willing to see the miraculous picture Our Lady Patiently Listening (painted at the beginning of 16th century on a piece of linden tree). The right ear of Holy Mary is uncovered which symbolically shows she is ready to hear the people's requests.

The construction of the church, which is a basilica also, started in 1705. Mum and myself visited the place in 2005 - both the architecture and the interior decorations of the basilica are really interesting and quite pretty and worth seeing.

You can watch the inside of the church here - just click on the digits below the first picture.

Credit: photo - bookmark bought at the Sanctuary.