Thousands Join Prayerful Marian Pilgrimage From Chicago to Merrillville
A powerful patronage to Our Lady and a deep faith in the Lord continue to propel thousands of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Catholics of Polish heritage as evidenced by a strong turnout for the Piesza Polonijna Pielgrzymka Maryjna (walking Polish Marian Pilgrimage) on Aug. 13 and 14.
The faithful’s journey of fellowship and public religious display marked its 35th year as the event began on Chicago's South Side and continued into Indiana for rest stops and a nighttime Mass at the Carmelite Shrine in Munster. On a cool Sunday morning, pilgrims set out from Munster to Merrillville to continue the last leg of a more than 20-mile journey.
Polish songs of petition and thanksgiving were interspersed with the praying of the Rosary as people peered out of their homes or watched from vehicles that paused to allow the well-mannered group of more than 3,000 walkers pass. The group’s carefully coordinated trek led them to the Salvatorian Shrine campus in Merrillville for Sunday afternoon Mass.
The event’s culmination at the Merrillville Shrine brought together family and friends – the walkers as well as an estimated equal number of visitors, who drove to the location from their suburban and city homes.
Victoria Kalinka, 18, of Pingree Grove, Ill. joined her friend Olivia Kosiak, 18, along with a group of family members on the Salvatorian grounds. Kalinka is preparing for her first year of college at Southern Illinois University; her friend Kosiak will be attending Marquette University.
Kalinka has been a part of the walk since she was an infant.
“I can’t imagine a year not going; this is my friend's first year going,” said Kalinka. “Every year you have different prayers, but every year it’s the same feeling – just amazing.”
“I think this was really fun – upbeat, peaceful and decompressing,” said Kosiak.
The Bishop of Świdnica, Poland, Marek Mendyk, presided at the Salvatorian Shrine, covering topics of faithfulness and inspiration. He spoke of the biblical account of the Wedding Feast of Cana, where Jesus’ mother told the attendant to “do whatever he tells you,” and the people in the story witnessed a miracle.
Throughout the walk and during the Masses at the Munster and Merrillville shrines, participants carried banners depicting the Divine Mercy of Jesus, Our Lady of Częstochowa – patroness and protector of Poland – and the beloved late pontiff, St. John Paul II. They sang traditional Catholic hymns and upbeat versions of Ave Maria.
Numerous volunteers wore fluorescent-colored vests, and mainly kept the phalanx of pilgrims to safe walking areas. Red Cross and other trained medical personnel traveled with the group and were designated by their internationally-recognized flags.
Sixteen-year-old volunteer Mateusz Szymczak of Chicago guided pilgrims southbound on Fran-Lin Parkway in Munster.
“I believe I’ve been on six pilgrimages,” Szymczak said. “It’s not as hard for me to walk as when I was a little kid.
He added, “I am a very strict-believing Catholic Christian and I obviously believe in God, and I devote my life to him. I am praying for all my family and friends for good for the years to come.”
Agnes Slomski of Dyer waved to volunteers and onlookers as she continued on the pilgrimage. She was among three generations of family members taking part in the faith walk.
Pilgrims spoke of their personal prayer concerns as well as the need to pray for the nation and the world. Some shared what was weighing on their hearts as they stepped through Northwest Indiana neighborhoods and business thoroughfares.
At first, Karol Rejczak of Downers Grove, Ill. was a bit hesitant to register for the pilgrimage. But friends encouraged him to join the group. The 17-year-old said he was making the moments meaningful.
“Everyone is having fun and praying, depending on what you’re praying for,” said Rejczak. “I’m praying for a friend who has cancer.”
Few participants complained of the stresses of the nearly two days of walking. At stops some massaged their feet or kicked up their legs and rested. Experienced pilgrims said comfortable athletic or walking shoes and plenty of hydration were two keys to ensure completion of the trek.
At Saturday night’s Mass, Bishop McClory spoke of the faithful’s admirable love and devotion to Jesus and Mary.
“If you love the Blessed Mother say, ‘Amen.’” Bishop McClory implored. “Beautiful! She’s the greatest gift that Jesus on the cross gave to us.”
Bishop McClory energetically proclaimed his homily to a crowd of thousands gathered among the coral grottos of the Carmelite Shrine as crickets sang a soft song in the cool night air.
“We’re saved through Jesus Christ, and we’re brought into a relationship with his very family, being part of our family and joining us all together,” he said.
The bishop praised Polonia, the Polish people, who, like those of other cultures, often had to travel to establish a better life. He spoke of people experiencing the dangers of the open sea.
“On the spiritual level, what I just described – being alone with nothing on the ocean – and somebody pulls up and says, ‘I’m here to save you.’ That’s what happens with Jesus.”
On Saturday, when the walking pilgrims entered Indiana, they passed the old St. Margaret Hospital and rested at nearby Harrison Park. Like eager travelers, they did not stay long, and Hammond police, who had patrolled the area, spoke of how the group left the park in as good a condition as when they arrived.
Serving Polska kielbasa and other food as well as sweets such as kolaczki, support volunteers also quickly picked up their gear and cleaned the area.
Among those preparing for the next leg of their walk were a “late 40s” couple from Rolling Meadows, Ill. Ula Gardiasz said she came to her first Marian pilgrimage in the U.S. in a spirit of thankfulness. Her husband, Maricia Gardiasz, also a native of Poland, had been hospitalized and had a long recovery from the coronavirus.
“I am here to say, ‘thank you’ to my mother,” said Ula Gardiasz of the Blessed Mother. “My husband in December was very sick.”
“I’m feeling great now,” remarked Marica Gardiasz.
This year, instead of starting at St. Michael the Archangel on Chicago’s South Side, the pilgrims began at the smaller Immaculate Conception Parish in a nearby neighborhood.
Carmelite Father “Francis” Franciszek Czaicki, prior, said it was good to see the crowds, but they have yet to return to pre-pandemic attendance levels.
“It is a very peaceful, nice gathering – people are seeking congregation, this atmosphere of prayer and being together,” said Father Czaicki.