There may never have been such decorations or such a solemn atmosphere in Bolesławiec before. From 4 to 9 October, we witnessed and took part in a great ecclesiastical event: the visitation of Our Lady represented in a copy of the Miraculous Image of Jasna Góra.
On page 2, we publish an account by our reader, Mrs Janina P., who took part in this momentous ceremony on its first day.
... The visitation of our city began on Sunday afternoon, 4 October, at the parish of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Huge crowds of the faithful awaited the arrival of the Image, listening with emotion to the words of the priest, who said: "Our Lady, in her image, has come to our parish community to revive our faith, strengthen our hope for a better tomorrow, so that, taking up the fight against evil and sin, we may grow in grace before God and people...".
Łasicka Street, leading to the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, was beautifully decorated and strewn with flowers. Crowds of the faithful, absorbed in prayer, gazed at the Image of Our Lady, illuminated by the rays of the sun. Carried on the shoulders of the faithful, the Image slowly approached the church and the field altar built by soldiers. The soldiers also carried the Image onto the altar they had prepared.
The parish priest, Father Wojciech Mroszczak, welcomed Our Lady and the guests who had gathered around Her: Bishop Adam Dyczkowski, the numerous clergy and the faithful.
On behalf of the city authorities, President Józef Król delivered words of welcome. A telegram from the Holy Father John Paul II, sent on the occasion of the second visitation of the diocese by Our Lady, was read out.
The Holy Mass concelebrated by the Bishop united the faithful, and prayerful vigil before the Image continued throughout the night. There was not a moment when the church was not filled with the faithful...".
Similar solemn ceremonies took place in all the parishes of Bolesławiec.
Those taking part in the ceremonies included: Rev. Dr Adam Dyczkowski, Auxiliary Bishop of Legnica, the clergy of the Archdiocese of Wrocław and the Diocese of Legnica, the clergy of Bolesławiec, the regional authorities headed by their chief, Member of Parliament Jan Kisilijczyk, and the city authorities headed by President Józef Król.