CDM pilgrims collect relic of St Faustina

Apr 06, 2015

By Sharon Chandra
Twenty pilgrims from the parish of Divine Mercy accompanied by their parish Priest Fr Martin Arlando set out for Poland on a mission to collect a 1st-class relic of St Faustina on February 22.

The highpoint of the trip came early for the pilgrims who stayed at the Pilgrim House, conveniently located in the heart of the sprawling sanctuary grounds. After celebrating Mass in the chapel the next morning, the group took great pride in witnessing the collection of the relic of St Faustina from Sr Ignatio from the Convent of the Sisters of our Lady of Mercy. Later Fr Martin placed all the written petitions of his parishioners in the special intention boxes.

The 19th-century brick convent of the Sisters of God’s Mother of Mercy is part of the vast Sanctuary of Divine Mercy. It is complete with a spacious main church, chapels, a viewing tower, a pilgrim House and more.

On August 17, 2002 St John Paul II consecrated the sanctuary’s majestic 1,600-sq-m brand-new basilica. It is estimated that every year some two million pilgrims from all over the world visit the shrine. The small but diverse group from Divine Mercy Penang, ranged in age from enthusiastic 14 year olds to hearty 60 year olds. Most found the peaceful atmosphere of the sanctuary grounds the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of life back home.

Before he became Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla had lived in Krakow for four decades.

In the days to follow, the pilgrims from Penang experienced the grandeur of exquisitely built churches and basilicas. Indeed the pilgrims were privileged to pray and offer petitions and Masses at palatial churches befitting the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque art. The Cathedral of Krakow on Wawel hill houses the shrine of St Stanislaus, the patron saint of Poland. Over 900 years old, it was here that the then Karol Wojtyla was ordained to the priesthood and celebrated his first Mass.

In the words of 18-year old Matthew Stephen: “It was a life-changing experience being able to stand where the saints once stood.” In Wadowice, the birthplace of John Paul II, the group toured the John Paul II Papal museum with insights into the life of the great pope and saint.

“I could feel the special atmosphere at the sanctuary and other holy sites we visited. Polish people have great reverence and faith in the Catholic tradition. The prayers, thanksgiving and celebration of Masses was amazing. Guess we have to pray harder for this same attitude to develop among Malaysian Catholics,” noted pilgrim, Rodney Gomez.

In Czestochowa, the pilgrims learnt about the miraculous events and spontaneous healings attributed to the Black Madonna. The portrait of the Blessed Virgin Mary, said to have been painted by evangelist, St Luke. The pilgrims visited the Salt Mines and also made an emotional tour of Auschwitz, tracing the footsteps where Saint Maxmillian Kolbe was martyred and where millions lost their lives in Nazi concentration camps.

Sharing his experience of the pilgrimage, Fr Martin said, “It was an AWESOME experience to stand on holy ground where the saints physically lived and gave their lives completely for the glory of God. I felt my unworthiness and yet I felt God’s love. Tears welded up in my eyes when I received both the relics of Saints Faustina & JPII (which I received earlier) in my hands. My thoughts were on the verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13) Despite my unworthiness, and like the saints, I too, pledge to live in His Presence always.”

This year the feast of the Church of Divine Mercy will have special meaning as devotees will venerate both the 1st class relics of St John Paul II as well as St Faustina. The feast of Divine Mercy runs from Good Friday all the way through to Divine Mercy Sunday on the 2nd Sunday of Easter. The theme for the parish feast this year is Transform Us… the Journey.