The image of pilgrimages in Poland is changing, the president of the KEP Council on Tourism and Pilgrimage, Bishop Piotr Przyborek, spoke to PAP. A much larger part of the buds are young people and families, while the full number of doughnuts falls, he explained.
In August the pilgrimage summit will take place in Poland, most of which will go to Jasna Góra. Last year in 228 groups there were 77.5 1000 pups (in 2019 – 133 thousand). Cross-country, bicycle, roller and individual pilgrimages besides gain popularity in the country. In 2023 8.6 1000 people (2019 in 170 groups – 11,000 250 people) reached the Sanctuary in Czestochowa in 200 bicycle groups, and in 17 cross-country pilgrimages – 475 (2019 there were 15 groups – 413 people).
In a conversation with PAP, the president of the Council of the Polish Tourist Office and the Pilgrimage Bishop Piotr Przyborek pointed out that many Poles treat the pilgrimage as a time of reflection, spiritual renewal and remainder from regular concerns.
– We live at a very fast pace, quite a few information, under the force of expectations, which results in stimulation and translates into our intellectual and physical condition. On the pilgrimage, however, you can leave all of this aside in a sense and be with yourself, be with another person, see the surrounding nature, be content with what is simple, average – a good word, a kind look or a cup of water, which is given by individual standing next to you. It gives a sense of carelessness, which many deficiency in everyday life – said Bishop Przyborek.
The priest emphasized that the pilgrimage was besides an chance to experience the importance of the community. – all day, erstwhile we usage phones, smartphones or another communicators between people's connections are much looser, whereas here we combine the time we live together, the effort we experience, the prayer. The word brother or sister of the another kid on the pilgrimage is not growing. During the way you can number on concrete support from the another pilgrim, e.g. carrying a backpack, tubes or hands given, to get up at the end of the halt and to go further – said the bishop.
Hierarch pointed out that in the last decade, with the change in the mentality of Polish society, the nature of pilgrimage in Poland has besides changed. – First of all, the number of doughnuts decreased. In the 1990s, erstwhile I started my pilgrimage, Gdańsk Pilgrimage on Jasna Góra counted, for example, 2-3 1000 buds, now 300-400 people – he noted.
The clergyman believes that this change has not only negative consequences. – In a smaller group, it is much easier to pilgrimage due to the fact that people are not anonymous. Neither are those who went on pilgrimage just to get out of the home or have a good time. – said Bishop Przyborek.
The bishop stated that people who present choose to make pilgrimages are frequently people looking for more in spiritual life. – We live in a time erstwhile people have a wide scope of opportunities to spend free time. Those who want to deepen religion can, for example, go to various retreats, days of focus, workshops or spend holidays or holidays in the bosom of nature, if they decide to make a pilgrimage, it is their thoughtful decision. – he said.
Hierarch said that many doughnuts treat the doughnut way as a retreat on the way. – Not only do they perceive to the conference and usage the sacraments, but they besides search time for individual prayer and reflection. The fresh phenomenon on the Gdańsk pilgrimage is that a large part of the youth chooses a group going in silence in place of a group in which she dominated while wandering playing guitar and joyful singing – Bishop Przyborek pointed out. He added that "at the end of the day, many, despite large fatigue, go to the church for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament." – The search for depths by young people can besides be seen by the rising pilgrimages in the Ways of St. James – said the bishop.
Bishop Przyborek pointed out that after the pandemic the age of flower buds besides changed in Poland. – Before 2019, 10-20 percent of fresh people joined the alleged core of the pilgrimage, i.e. people who have been walking for years, while they now represent 40 percent of all those who are going to Jasna Góra. Most of them are people aged 16-25. – explained the clergyman. He estimated that “those who encourage them are especially the evidence of their peers.”
He admitted that present on the pilgrimage there are besides far more families with tiny children than 10 years ago. – Sometimes a fewer families date and commute for a fewer days. any of them have pilgrimaged to Jasna Góra as young people, and now they want to give this experience to children – said the bishop.
According to the bishop, "the presence of married couples and families on the pilgrimage is simply a valuable evidence to building a relation for young pilgrims who are considering their vocation."
(PAP)/work. FA
