The “White March” began at around 8:30 p.m. People carried lit candles, prayed and sang songs. Among them were those most beloved by John Paul II: “Abba, Father” and “The Barge.” Although the march took place within the Staszica Housing Estate, many people from other parts of the city took part.
At around 9:00 p.m., residents of Bolesławiec began placing candles, votive lights and lanterns along Jana Pawła II Street. The choice of time was not accidental. The culmination of the vigil, prayers and remembrance of John Paul II was to occur at the time of his death, at 9:37 p.m. The same happened in other cities across Poland, wherever streets bear the name of the deceased pope.
At the same time, on Bolesławiec’s Market Square, scouts were forming a farewell circle. Candles and votive lights were arranged in the shape of a cross. Scouts holding torches stood beside the burning cross. The people gathered around joined hands.
Exactly at 9:37 p.m., the circle began to expand. However, people continued holding hands while singing the scout song “Brotherhood Circle.” Later came the collective singing of religious songs and prayer.
On the market square, as during the “White March,” one of John Paul II’s favorite songs, “The Barge,” was heard most often. In total, several thousand people took part in the three Thursday ceremonies.