The first Vespers of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary began on Saturday, August 14, with indulgence ceremonies in the Licheń sanctuary. A solemn liturgy was held at the coronation altar next to the parish church of St. Dorothy.
The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Bogusław Binda, MIC, superior of the Lichen community of the Congregation of Marian Fathers. The liturgy was concelebrated by, among others: Fr. Janusz Kumala, MIC and the curator of the sanctuary, Fr. Rafał Krauze, MIC, pastor of the Licheń parish
"Mary invites us today to glorify God with her," said Fr. Binda. “She had this extraordinary closeness and familiarity. No one among people knows Jesus like Mary, and no one loves him so much. Today we celebrate the consequences of this closeness. The Risen One could not allow His Mother not to participate in His glory. She was taken body and soul to the home that God had prepared for her for centuries. He watches over our earthly ways that we may come to heaven. "
Fr. In his homily, Binda explained that the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary makes us aware that we have someone who guides us and watches over us without exception. “Thanks to her, we will always be close to Jesus Christ. We experience this closeness when we let ourselves be guided by it. We are to not only honor it but also imitate it. Thanks to her 'yes', which she said to God, she played a key role in the history of salvation ", said the priest, encouraging:" When faith does not come easily to us, let us turn to Mary. "
The head of the Lichen community of Marian Fathers emphasized that we are celebrating the 54th anniversary of the coronation of the Image of Our Lady of Lichen with the papal crown, which was made on August 15, 1967 by the Servant of God, Card. Stefan Wyszyński. The monk recalled the person of Cardinal Wyszyński, emphasizing the 120th birthday and 97th anniversary of priestly ordination celebrated two weeks ago. On August 15, 1967, Cardinal Wyszyński gave two speeches (to young people and to the general public). He recalled then how 45 years earlier he had been in Licheń as a young alumnus of the Włocławek seminary, among others the favors experienced by the worshipers of Mary of Lichen or by teaching children the catechism. Wyszyński's visit to Licheń was also recalled by a banner hung at the coronation altar with a quote from the Primate of the Millennium: "The world needs a Mother."
After 8 p.m. in the basilica there was a concert of Marian songs performed by Barbara Kaczor, organist of the Licheń basilica. You could hear, among others "Mary, beautiful Lady", "Mother's tears", "In the footsteps of Mary I am on a pilgrimage", "Who, Mother, should I believe today" or "Goodnight Lady".
Text and photos: Sanctuary Press Office
