Within just a few weeks, thanks to the combined efforts of the Knights of Columbus and the National Polish Apostolate Committee, we will be celebrating St. John Paul II Day on Saturday, October 17th. This Celebration will memorialize the pontificate and legacy of Saint John Paul II. This day of celebration was chosen because of its proximity to the election date of Cardinal K. Wojtyla to the See of St. Peter.
The Papal Day will begin with a tour of this remarkable and renovated Shrine and Museum dedicated to the Polish Pope. Every visitor to the Papal Museum is spellbound by the profound message, artistic settings, and latest technologies, regardless of religion, nationality or cultural origin. The visual exposition portrays in a historical context an individual whom God called upon to priesthood in a mysterious way, leading him through political systems, struggles and obscurities of war, to the dignity of the priesthood, episcopate, papacy, and finally to the glory of the Altar.
The pilgrimage program will provide the opportunity to hear presentations by a few lecturers: Most Rev. Janusz Stepnowski, Bishop of Lomzy, Poland; Ambassador to the Republic of Poland Ryszard Schnepf; Father Jonathan Kalisch, Senior Chaplain, Knights of Columbus of New Haven; as well as Prof. Thaddeus Radzilowski, Director of Piast Research Instititute, Michigan. Following the lectures, at 3:00 P.M., we will assemble at the Chapel of John Paul II to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
At 4:00 P.M. we will attend the Solemn Mass, with Bishop Edward Grosz, Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo, NY as main celebrant and homilist together with other concelebrating bishops and clergy. The Mass will be celebrated in the new church built by the Knights of Columbus, which was consecrated on October 3rd by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz and Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl.
The Papal Day is an excellent occasion for a true pilgrimage, to the site where many of St. John Paul II personal items and memorabilia may be found, along with his first class relics. A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place with religious motives seeking God’s assistance for our particular personal intention through the intercession of St. John Paul II. A great number of people received many graces and miracles which were documented even during his lifetime. We learned from his pilgrimages to the United States, about his concern for Polonia of our country. This Papal Day is the occasion to continue his spiritual and cultural legacy which he left for the church and the world but especially for Polonia.
We sincerely invite you to join us in Washington D.C. on October 17th through bus trips sponsored by your local parishes.