DAY 1 – Wednesday, July 20 – Departing St. Vincent Pallotti Parish, Wyandotte, MI
Our pilgrims, 11 youths and 6 chaperones, have left the building and on their way to Metro Airport for their trip to Poland! A balloon send off with prayer cards attached praying for our pilgrims on their journey were released as they departed. Let their spiritual journey begin!
DAY 2 -Thursday, July 21 – Linz, Austria
Our pilgrims have safely arrived in Amsterdam, then on to Munich Germany. Their tour guide is now taking them to Linz Austria. Maybe they will get to visit one of the beautiful churches in Linz before they head out to Zakopane tomorrow. While driving through Austria, their bus tour guide played songs from the “Song of Music”. Climb every mountain pilgrims!
DAY 3 – Friday, July 22 – Zakopane, Poland
Long bus ride from Linz to Zakopane. Then visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptowki, where our Prayer intentions were offered. (Notice the Prayer Journal in the corner of the picture with Blessed John Paul II. Afterwards the group took gondolas to Mt. Gubalowka.
Mountains in Zacopane
Our Lady of Fatima with our Prayer Intention Journal.
DAY 4 – Saturday, July 23 – Wadowice, Krakow Poland
Visiting the childhood home of St. John Paul II, which is now a museum. Then a visit to the Church of the Presentation where St. John Paul II was baptized. Tour of Wieliczka Salt Mines and a stop for lunch at the cafe within the salt mine.
DAY 5 – Sunday, July 24 – Czestochowa / Auschwitz, Krakow Poland
Touring Auschwitz and Tour Jasna Gora Monastery and the Black Madonna. Attend Mass at the Shrine. Per Julie Dzanbazoff, “Our Lady of Czestochowa pray for us. What a pilgrimage!!! Mass was beautiful today!!!”
Auschwitz – German Nazi concentration and extermination camp (1940–45). The Pilgrims walked the streets and felt the emotion and devastation of what life was like for so many back then. Also pictured is a sign featuring Polish Franciscan Friar, Maximillian Kolbe. He volunteered to die so that he could save the life of another prisoner.
DAY 6 – Monday, July 25 – Krakow / Lagiewniki
Visiting Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral, Kanonicza Street, where St. John Pall II resided, Church of St. Mary and Main Market Square.
DAY 7 – Tuesday, July 26 – WYD events – Krakow, Poland
Opening Mass in Blonia Park – A little rain, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of our Pilgrims! Bless them for taking that Prayer Intention book with them everywhere they go!
DAY 8 – Wednesday, July 27 – WYD events – Krakow, Poland
Attending Mass at St. Catherine and St. Margaret Church with other AOD pilgrims. Andy, Laura and Mike Marshall sang in the choir, Amaya was an Alter Server and Stephanie and Elizabeth were lectors. Even during the Offertory, Martin brought up a AOD WYD tee shirt as a gift.
DAY 9 – Thursday, July 28 – WYD events – Krakow, Poland
Youth Festival – Pope Francis welcome in Blonia Park – Julie Dzanbazoff was so close to the Pope she could have touched him! These pictures prove it! Good job Julie!
DAY 10 – Friday, July 29 – WYD events – Krakow, Poland
Youth Festival – Way of the Cross – No rain could keep our pilgrims from the anticipation of doing the Stations of the Cross today. Also, Stephanie got to carry our Prayer Intention book during Mass and a view of the pilgrims room, getting ready for packing for the all night Vigil.
DAY 11 – Saturday, July 30 – WYD events – Krakow, Poland
Pilgrimage walk to the Vigil site in Brzegi with Pope Francis
DAY 12 – Sunday, July 31 – WYD events – Krakow, Poland
Final Mass – Celebration and singing!
DAY 13 – Monday, August 1 – Krakow, Poland
Stop at at St. Florian Church, then depart on overnight Motorcoach to Frankfurt, Germany.
DAY 14 – Tuesday, August 2 – Goodbye Poland – Hello USA
Pilgrims flew from Poland to Frankfurt, Germany, then onto USA, landing in Atlanta Georgia at 6:20 p.m., then onto Detroit and to St. Joseph Church by 8:45 p.m.
The pilgrims journey is over. But their faith filled stories and Holy Spirit in their hearts will live on forever!
God Bless them and welcome home!
