Tom & Sue pilgrimage: Day 2 in Poland Our Lady of Swieta Lipka

Jane Dobry:

We had a pretty good night sleep and didn’t make it to breakfast until almost nine. We couldn’t go down in our PJ’s, as we usually try to do; it was too nice a place. After a great breakfast with eggs and you name it, I paid the bill, ($44 for the room included breakfast) we loaded the Jag, it’s not a car anymore, and headed out for our next stop, Swieta Lipka, a miraculous apparition site of Our Lady and it is also called “Czestochowa of the North”, after the most famous Marian shrine in Poland.

The ride was around a 1 ½ hours and it was beautiful. We traveled thru forests and valleys full with lakes. Jag responded well on the tight winding roads. She was a joy to drive. (Did I tell you that Susan loves this car?)

We caught a glimpse of the shrine from the road and it was spectacular, again from a Baroque influence. There were busses there and it was busy but we managed to find a parking spot almost in front and not ½ mile away. There were lots of groups coming and going and a lot of young children, which was so nice to see.

We had a cup of coffee before going into the Minor Basilica for a great surprise. The place was packed with a couple tour groups and we had to stand but didn’t mind since we could move around and see all the treasures within.

Our surprise was this group had a concert scheduled and we were not there for 5 minutes when the beautiful music began. I had tears rolling down my cheeks when she played the Ave Maria, it was heavenly. Susan took a video for the sound and posted it on Facebook. (She got lots of comments). The music ended and this very young Sister came out and took a bow, she was the organist and she was amazing.

I took quite a few pics especially of the spot where the tree and the miracles began. The statue in the tree depicts the one carved by the convict on death row. (Click here for the story of Our Lady of Swieta Lipka).

We lit candles and, as always, they were for all of your intentions and during the homilies (which we can’t understand) at mass we read and re-read them and pray for them during the mass and our Rosary.

Editors note: You can still add your intentions, since they will be traveling in Poland for another 3 weeks. Just email them to TSMelillo13@aol.com. They will also put you on their mailing list if you wish.

The tour group left and another came in for the noon Mass but this time we managed to get seats. The music continued with this awesome choir before, during and after the Liturgy. This place was truly mesmerizing.

When it all ended we when out for a breather and stopped in the gift shop for a couple of memento’s and 2 special gifts we needed to get. We wanted to pray our Rosary here and we went back to the Basilica since there seemed to be a pause in the groups coming and going. We sat in the back pew with only a few people around and began to pray. We got thru 2 decades when the doors burst open and this group of very young and noisy kids came in. We smiled since they all seemed nervous and excited.

We gave up our seat and found this 2 seater box in the very back and continued our Prayers. The noise subsided after the priest began to talk. A few minutes later we finished the last two decades to the concert music once again. This time as we finished I think we both had tears running down our faces as the music to the Ave Maria accompanied us out the door. What a very spiritual day it was.

We left for our B&B and a surprise for Susan. I turned into this very small side road and the turned into this long driveway and stopped so Susan could get the full effect. (See Photos) She goes you have got to be kidding and I laughed as we drove up to the beautiful Mansion. There was no penance tonight at this house. The place was stunning and we took full advantage of our time here relaxing outside front and back and enjoying the vista’s and sipping on a glass of wine. It was so peaceful we didn’t want to leave but we were hungry, since our last meal was almost 10 hours ago.

We drove to the closest town that our host suggested which borders a huge lake. We tried to find something on the water but that was impossible so we drove to the center of town, parked and walked to several nice places but none of them opened for an hour. Hungry and getting tired, Susan said let’s eat there, a small bistro style restaurant. It didn’t look promising. We ordered dinner with the help of the waitress and her phone and then ordered a glass of wine but they don’t serve it so we had water.

It didn’t take too long for the food to arrive and I fired her from picking out restaurants. After we ate I gave her the job back, the food was as good as any restaurant I have been in. It was freshly homemade and the sauce on the pork loin was superb. I could not have made it better myself. There wasn’t a drop left on our plates and we were comfortably full. I paid the tab and freaked out the waitress with a 25% tip. Big spender right? Without tip it was $12.50, the water was expensive. Did I ever tell you I love Poland?

Satisfied we returned to the Mansion for a glass of wine and a trip report and more organizing for the next day. It was such a beautiful day we hated to see it end. Two days into the unknown and all was well.

Time for bed have a blessed day and if you have any more intentions please send them anytime as well as an e-mail to say hi cause we miss you.

God Bless you all,

Love Susan & Tom

PRAYER FOR THE INTERCESSION OF
SAINT JOHN PAUL II THE GREAT

O Blessed Trinity, we thank you for having graced the Church with Saint John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ and the splendor of the Spirit of love to shine through him.

Trusting fully in your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, He has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. He has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you.

Grant us, by his intercession, and according to your will, the graces we implore … Especially (STATE YOUR INTENTIONS HERE), through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Prayer

 

Mary, help me to hear your gentle, loving voice.  Carry me in your arms to God as you carried Jesus.  Be with me consciously in my times of unknowing.  Turn every dark moment into treasures of trust in God who is the Resurrection of all my dreams and longings.  Sing to me of God’s Love in the sweet melodies of your constant, affirming, loving presence.  Help me transcend the limits of space and time now and dwell consciously with God forever.  Amen.