MERRILLVILLE – During each of the 39 times the Piesza Polonijna Pielgrzymka Maryjna (Polish Marian Walking Pilgrimage) has hosted thousands of Catholic pilgrims on a 37-mile walk, countless prayer intentions have been uplifted along the way.
Treks can be metaphors for spiritual journeys for many participants, and walkers in this year’s pilgrimage moved with joyful attitudes and some heavy hearts. The predominantly Polish faithful began the morning of August 8 with Mass on the South Side of Chicago at Immaculate Conception Church, before a jaunt to the Indiana border and into the Region.
At Hammond’s Harrison Park, volunteers set up hydration stations, grills and medical tents to minister to any pilgrims in need. Most would come to rest in the shade of large deciduous trees and among the downed limbs that were a reminder of recent storms.
Twenty-year-old John Ballarin of Norridge, Ill. poured flavoured electrolyte drinks into red cups arranged on a card table. The friendly banter among volunteers – from youths to retirees – spoke to the anticipation of seeing the many walkers arrive.
Ballerin said his view of the nation and world is one of optimism, especially considering how many people have come to knowledge and practice of the faith. He shares a Polish heritage, though his last name is Italian, and took some pride in the public display of Christian belief by Polonia.
“I definitely (appreciate) seeing thousands of people walking, united by the Catholic faith,” said Ballerin. “Them praying together and singing together, that definitely brought me out here.”
Now a volunteer, Ballerin participated in the walk as a boy with his family. “You hear the experience of what somebody’s faith has been for them – that’s one of the greatest ways to strengthen your own faith,” he said.
He accompanied the pilgrims at each stop on their journey, which processed along large avenues and residential streets to Munster’s Carmelite Fathers Monastery. Pilgrims camped out at the grounds at Ridge Road and White Oak, attended Mass presided over by Bishop Robert J. McClory at the main grotto, and continued another 12 miles to Merrillville the next morning.
The thousands of walkers, at times, received police escorts, and were greeted by onlookers. A sense of family developed among participants, even if their nuclear family members were overseas.
For one such pilgrim arriving at Our Lady of Częstochowa Shrine and Salvatorian Fathers Monastery, the site of Sunday Mass presided over by Bishop Artur Ważny of Sosnowiec, Poland, the liturgy provided a sense of spiritual solidarity.
Natalia Baut, 32, was born in Poland, where most of her relatives reside. The Illinois resident said the walk through Northwest Indiana provided much time for expressing praise and petition to the Good Lord and Our Lady with the greater family of faith.
She implored the prayers of others as she kept in mind her ailing grandmother.
“This journey means a lot to me because I came with intentions,” Baut explained. “My grandmother has dementia and she had a stroke … I cannot be with her now, so I just came here for her. I just want my grandmother to be cured of all this pain she is going through.”
Baut proceeded to the canopy of trees in front of the outdoor sanctuary pavilion that hosted Holy Mass. She gathered with thousands who filled the grounds in excess of previous years’ attendance, according to event organizers.
The faithful – walking pilgrims and the family and friends who arrived to eventually drive them home – heard Bishop Ważny speak about the Gospel reading featuring the Wedding Feast of Cana. He addressed themes of faithfulness and boldness: the Blessed Mother was the first to nurture and want to hold on to her son, yet she also supported his ministry and challenged people to “do whatever He tells you.”
Those gathered in Merrillville kept an eye on the sky as dark clouds rolled into the area during Mass. Perhaps a blessing from God, heavy rains held until the near-exact moment of the final blessing, when clergymen held on to their mitres as they swiftly headed backstage and the faithful scattered for campus buildings.
The events of those two summer days buoyed the spirit of Norridge, Ill. resident and Catholic youth mentor Piotr (Peter) Malec, 27. He hopes the journey of faith and the don’t-stop-believing messages of the celebrants power the next moves in each of the participants' lives.
Recalling Bishop McClory’s August 8 homily at the Carmelite Monastery, Malec said pausing to take stock of life is essential.
“It’s always important for us to take a step back in our daily lives. We should reflect and allow our souls to heal,” said Malec.
The youth leader spoke about the universality of pilgrimage and the resourceful journey of faith, particularly for fellow young Poles.
“We brought all of our intentions to the Virgin Mary, so that she can deliver all of that to the King in heaven, Jesus.”
Caption: Thousands of faithful are gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa during Sunday Mass on the second day of the Piesza Polonijna Pielgrzymka Maryjna (Polish Marian Walking Pilgrimage) in Merrillville on August 9. Predominantly Polish Catholics participated in the 39th annual event in which walkers made their way from the South Side of Chicago to Munster and Merrillville in praise and petition. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
