The Calumet Region played host to one of the most public displays of faith, a procession, when thousands of Catholics walked from Chicago through Hammond to Munster and Merrillville on Aug. 10-11.
During the 37th annual Piesza Polonija Pielgrzymka Maryjna (Polish Marian Walking Pilgrimage), participants took the opportunity to strengthen ties with their larger family of faith and join in solidarity with this year’s National Eucharistic Congress.
Around the world at holy sites, in Spain’s Camino de Santiago and from the four corners of the U.S. converging on Indianapolis, pilgrimages have unified people and asserted a place for the practice of religion in the public square.
On Aug. 10, Victor Rojek arrived with his two young sons at the Carmelite Shrine in Munster, geographically at about the halfway point of the local pilgrimage.
Breaking bread with other believers in the Eucharist and honoring the Blessed Mother in the many titles she has among Polonia, Rojek was enthused and had no complaints about the long walk. He said he sought to reinforce the faith among his boys as they grow up in a challenging time for Catholics.
“On the pilgrimage, I noticed a lot of people praying to the Lord Jesus and Holy Mary,” said Rojek, of Chicago. “I feel better when I’m walking in the name of Christianity with Jesus and Mary. I feel like I’m 100 pounds lighter.”
He continued, “This is my 18th year doing this. Now I’m 44. With kids, I just want to show them the way … there’s no way they could learn this from TV.”
Margaret Badovsky and her youngest of five children, Simon, 6, awaited the arrival in Munster of her husband Peter Badovsky and other children, who were walking. Once they arrived, all would make their way into the shrine grounds to freshen up and find their family tent, of which dozens had been erected for overnight accommodations.
“My children should know that they can pray everywhere and they can enjoy life as a Catholic person,” said Badovsky.
The Oak Forest, Ill. resident said she believes the adage, “The family that prays together, stays together,” but she had not been sure she could walk the pilgrimage route.
“Yeah, you could, Mom! You could do it!” exclaimed Simon Badovsky.
Many of the Polish adults at the gathering were first- or second-generation U.S. citizens. Like Badovsky, they said the centuries-old pilgrimage traditions in the central European nation were as recently as three decades ago persecuted or restricted by the then-Communist regime.
When asked if pilgrimages thrive in modern Poland, many responses were in the affirmative, “Tak,” which means “Yes.”
The pilgrimage crowd tilted to the younger end of the spectrum, and everywhere they walked – through business corridors, neighborhood avenues and park settings – their ancient chants and modern pop-like anthems were amplified by a powerful mobile sound system.
As the estimated 4,000-plus contingent of walking pilgrims turned on to Ridge Road, guided by members of the Munster Police Department, the Carmelite Fathers Monastery and Shrine grounds came into view. Family members and other loved ones, who awaited their arrival, applauded, waved handkerchiefs and offered hugs.
Mass was celebrated under a canopy of trees that cover the Stations of the Cross route. The altar at the front of the Grotto of the Mother of God was brightly lit and the luminance radiated through the crowded grounds. At 9 p.m., discalced Carmelite Fathers, deacons and altar servers emerged from the monastery hall with presider Bishop Robert J. McClory and crossed the parking lot to process among the pilgrims.
Traditional devotionals and upbeat liturgical songs had worshippers on their knees at times, or standing and swaying their arms, particularly to a tune with a rough translation of lyrics being, “God is big and we are happy to be here.”
Carmelite Monastery prior Father Andrzej Gbur, OCD, provided a welcome to the “biskup,” and the Diocese of Gary leader spoke of the joy of being at the gathering. In his homily, Bishop McClory complimented the devotion of the pilgrims and also offered a “dziękuję,” (thank-you) for allowing him to preach in English.
“We are in the midst of a Eucharistic Revival in the United States, and in many ways, expressions of this revival, particularly over this summer, borrow a lot from our Polish brothers and sisters,” said Bishop McClory. “You have mastered pilgrimages and processions and places of devotion, and we others from a variety of cultural backgrounds here in North America are finally beginning to appreciate the beauty of coming together and publicly processing and honoring our Lord.”
The bishop encouraged more witnessing to the faith in public and carrying personal intercessions to Jesus through Mary, “Mother of the Eucharist.”
Pilgrims rose to prepare for the next morning’s journey down White Oak Avenue to Fran-Lin Parkway and out of Munster, singing “Ave Maria,” and hoisting posters and tapestries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Mother and St. Pope John Paul II as they continued into Highland, then east to Griffith. This year, a woman provided a sort of color commentary in English, reading information and introducing prayers on the public address system.
Their journey of more than 20 miles ended at Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine and the Salvatorian Fathers Monastery near Andean High School in Merrillville. The arrival of the pilgrims, added to the families and friends who had gathered, prompted event organizers to estimate that at least 7,000 faithful were present for Sunday Mass.
At Mass, the words of presider Most Rev. Radosław Orchowicz, Bishop of Gniezno, Poland, echoed among those gathered on the expansive lawn. The prelate asked those present to pray for people known and unknown who need to be uplifted.
Reflecting on the pilgrimage, a young man named after St. John Paul II said the gatherings helped him mature.
“For me it’s just like a way of life. As a young kid you really don’t understand it, but as you grow older you really understand what the meaning of life is, when you turn your life to Christ,” said Karol Derezinsk, who traveled with his mother, Izabella Derezinski, also of Des Plaines, Ill.
The 19-year-old added, “You’ve got to have your priorities right. This shows there is hope for the world.”
Caption: Participants of the 37th annual Piesza Polonija Pielgrzymka Maryjna (Polish Marian Walking Pilgrimage) approach Munster's Carmelite Shrine to eat, freshen up and later attend Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert J. McClory on Saturday night, Aug. 11. Overnight pilgrims, who walked from Chicago, then began the trek to Merrillville's Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine in the morning, anticipating arrival for Sunday afternoon Mass. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)