1st August, 2016 - We left Krakow and headed about 30 miles south west to
Wadowice, which is a small city with a population of almost 20,000. Known internationally as the birthplace of Pope John Paul II. Born in 1920 as Karol Wojtyla, the future Pontiff lived in Wadowice till 1938 when he moved to Krakow to study at its ancient Jagiellonian University. To his last days the late Holy Father remembered fondly his Wadowice youth....
I come to my native town of Wadowice. With great emotion I gaze upon this city of my childhood years, which witnessed my first steps, my first words and those "first bowsr" which, as Norwid puts it, are "like the eternal profession of Christ: Be praised "; (cf. Moja piosenka [My Song]). The city of my childhood, my family home, the Church of my Baptism . . . I wish to cross these hospitable thresholds, bow before my native soil and its inhabitants, and utter the words of greeting given to family members upon their return from a long journey: "Praised be Jesus Christ!"
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II
Wadowice Wednesday, 16 June 1999
It was a beautiful day and we got to see the Museum which was the house where he was born and lived and his famous brass statue. It seems surreal to see the home of a Saint. The famous "Pope Cake" has to be tasted to be believed... I had to suffer and have several to make sure I am able to describe it fully to everyone in Australia!
We continued on our bus ride to the site of the retreat in the amazing town of Zakopane, situated in the foothills of the Tatra Mountains. The view from our room is sensational.
2nd August, 2016
This morning we had Mass out on this platform overlooking the entire Valley followed by a reflection of the WYD experience. It really made me think about everything and how wonderful an experience I have had, how blessed I am to have the people in my life that love me so much. After lunch we hiked through the beautiful surrounds, past streams of crystal clear water, forests of tall lush trees and amazing green pastures... no really look at the pictures, the air was so fresh it was like God had drawn us here to remind us about his awesome power. Then we had Confession and I honestly can say I get it... I need to make God the centre of my life and all things will come into focus. I'll work on it. Time to get some sleep. More pictures in the gallery.
God Bless to all.
Kristina x
2nd August, 2016
This morning we had Mass out on this platform overlooking the entire Valley followed by a reflection of the WYD experience. It really made me think about everything and how wonderful an experience I have had, how blessed I am to have the people in my life that love me so much. After lunch we hiked through the beautiful surrounds, past streams of crystal clear water, forests of tall lush trees and amazing green pastures... no really look at the pictures, the air was so fresh it was like God had drawn us here to remind us about his awesome power. Then we had Confession and I honestly can say I get it... I need to make God the centre of my life and all things will come into focus. I'll work on it. Time to get some sleep. More pictures in the gallery.
God Bless to all.
Kristina x