By Charles Igwe
In a meaningful encounter, Pope Francis met with approximately 150 Polish pilgrims on the morning of 17th July, including several families. These pilgrims had traveled to Rome on July 15 to participate in a retreat organized by the Light and Life community, widely recognized as the “Oasis of the Living Church” and Poland’s largest Church movement. Cardinal-elect Grzegorz Ryś, the Archbishop of Łódź, led the retreat.
Throughout the year, these young individuals and families have undergone Christian formation within their own parishes. Their pilgrimage to Rome represents an intensive period of reflection and spiritual retreat, which typically brings together participants from different regions of Poland. The community they belong to was established by Father Franciszek Blachnicki, who tragically lost his life in 1987 at the hands of communist security services.
The pilgrimage to Rome and the meeting with Pope Francis serve as pivotal moments during a three-tiered retreat for the youth and families. Participants are encouraged to engage with the diverse mysteries of the Church while seeking their own unique paths within the community of believers. Through this retreat experience, they delve into various forms and traditions of prayer, engage in fraternal gatherings, and explore the richness of Christian history and the present reality of the Church by visiting different sanctuaries.
