Gathered at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Licheń during the noon Mass. On June 28, they thanked for the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Marian Spiritual Family, which cares for the Sanctuary.
Fr. Janusz Kumala, MIC, the curator of the Lichen sanctuary, noted in his homily that God had called this sanctuary by lay people and was a gift for them. In the nineteenth century, Tomasz Kłossowski placed the image of the Mother of God on a pine tree in the Grąblin forest, and Mikołaj Sikatka experienced apparitions and conveyed the message of the Mother of God - a call to conversion. Lay people also built the first brick chapel in Grąblin for the Lady of Licheń, and later actively participated in the construction of the church of St. Dorothy in Licheń, where the image of Our Lady of Licheń was venerated for 150 years. Years later, in 1967, they joined the preparation of the coronation of the Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Licheń. - In 1970 the Marian Spiritual Family was established, whose members from Poland and abroad were involved in the further development of the sanctuary. Since then, more and more friends are associated with the Licheń sanctuary, explained the curator. - It is here that many experienced the grace of conversion and were born to a new life, and this is witnessed by the confessional bars - he said.
The Marian Spiritual Family also supported the sanctuary in the daily cleaning work. Its members and pilgrims also took part in the construction of the Lichen Golgotha, e.g. they brought stones from all over Poland. - The Licheń Basilica is the greatest fruit of the commitment of the Marian Spiritual Family. "I thank God for this temple" - Fr. Kumala recalled the words of St. John Paul II, spoken on the steps of the Lichen basilica in 1999. - The Pope thanked everyone who contributed to the creation of the basilica, which is an expression of their faith and love of God and Mary - said the custodian priest.
The Spiritual Marian Family also cares for the Church as a community of people. What is the most important thing about a visit to the Sanctuary? Prompted the Marian to reflect. - We are meeting to participate in the Eucharist. You can use this time for a walk, it is important to think about yourself and reflect on your own life, but the most important thing is that our presence in the Sanctuary should result in meeting Christ in Holy Communion. and the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. When we make pilgrimages to the Sanctuary, and not only visit, we remember heaven. It will be happiest there. A pilgrim is one who reaches the goal of Christ. Let us thank you for all the people who are inscribed in the history of this place - concluded Fr. Kumala.
On the last Sunday of June, after a three-month break, the choir of the Lichen basilica "Stabat Mater" sang. Jacek Hyżny, the conductor and lichenian organist, took care of the liturgy and led the choir concert after the Eucharist.
