Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Czestochowa (Agenzia Fides) - “Fidelity of Christ, fidelity of the priest” is the main theme of the Year for Priests and it has also been the theme for the pilgrimage led by the Polish Catholic weekly “Niedzela” in Jasna Gora, the National Shrine to the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, bringing together collaborators, journalists, friends, and readers of the weekly. The 13th pilgrimage organized by the magazine to go to Jasna Gora took place on Saturday, September 19, organized for the Year for Priests. The pilgrims were placed especially under the protection of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, invoked by the magazine as “Mater Verbi,” and on of the most significant priestly figures of recent times, Servant of God Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko, a priest and martyr from the time of the Communist regime.
According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, the Mass at the Shrine was presided by Cardinal Jozef Glemp, Archbishop Emeritus of Warsaw, Primate of Poland. Among the concelebrants were Monsignor Ireneusz Skubis, Editor-in-Chief of the Catholic Weekly. “The Niedzela Magazine, as the most well-know Catholic magazine in Poland, should evangelize with strength, without fear. Much depends on the mission of the media today. We need to proclaim what is most important for the Church of today. We need to serve the truth and good,” Cardinal Glemp said in the homily.
After the Mass, in the John Paul II Hall in Jasna Gora, the Editor-in-Chief presented the “Niedzela – Sursum Corda Award” and the “Mater Verbi 2008” Medal, to those who have made a special contribution through the magazine to the evangelization of Polish society. Among the winners was Cardinal Jozef Glemp himself. During the encounter, the Editor-in-Chief presented the new initiative “Evangelizational Movement – Circle of Helpers of the Mater Verbi,” for youth, families, and journalists to know and promote the various pastoral and cultural initiatives that the Church is carrying out in the area of mass media and for the promotion of the Church's teaching in the mass media. (MF/SL) (Agenzia Fides 22/9/2009)
