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Saint Stanislas' Penitential Procession in Krakow
On May 14, 2006, I few of us were lucky enough to attend the Penitential Procession, in honor of St. Stanislas, in Krakow. This important event was in remembrance of Poland's own Saint Stanislas. The path of the procession historically led back and forth between Skalka, "Krakow's Oldest Shrine" and Wawel Cathedral. On May 14, 2006, our group organized at the Wawel Castle gates and we walked to the Skalka Shrine.
14th of May, 2006
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Webmaster's Historical Notes:
In the foreground is the Vistula River
The Pauline Order was founded in Hungary by St. Eusebius, a canon of Esztergom, in 1250. As their patron saint and model the monks chose St. Paul of Thebes, the first hermit (Saint’s Day: January 15th). The first Paulines were recognized by Rome as a monastic order in 1270, 191 years after the death of Saint Stanislas. The Paulines were hermits who concentrated on prayer, solitary contemplation, and a strict way of life. The Pauline Order is closely associated with the spread of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin. In this context the pilgrimage center of Jasna Góra (Bright Mountain) in Czestochowa plays an outstanding role, as it is the largest center of the veneration of the Virgin (as "Our Lady of Czestochowa") in Central and East Europe.
Skalka is Poland's second holiest pilgrimage site after Jasna Gora. Normally it is a five minute walk down the Vistula river pathway, but on the day of the Penitential Procession it takes longer, because of the great throng of pilgrims that slowly walk the "Holy Route."
Skalka is the rocky hillock upon which the sanctuary sits. Shalka's importance is that on this very mound there once stood a rotunda church where King Boleslav II, "the Bold." had his men murder Krakow's bishop in 1079. Stanislas Szczepanowski's body was initially buried in the Skalka church, but in 1088 it was transferred to Wawel Cathedral. After Stanislas' tortures, a deplorable act of violence, the King Boleslaw was exiled. Of course, this bishop was later worshiped as the martyr Saint Stanislas. St Stanislas had exposed the excesses of the tyrannical monarch, and since that day Poland has always tried to control the extravagance lifestyle of their leaders.
In 1253, Stanislas, was canonized and was the chief patron saint of Poland. Since the Middle Ages, the cult of St. Stanislas was pivotal in forming the Polish nation. Poland’s king-elects had to visit the Skalka Sanctuary, on their coronation day, to atone for the sins of their predecessors.
It has been 925 years (in 2006) since Saint Stanislas' death. The splendid architecture of this Baroque church, built in the mid-eighteenth (18th) century, is the fourth church on the Holy place. Nevertheless, visitors can still see three dark spots of St. Stanislas's blood on the church wall. With the building of each new church, this section of wall was saved, so his martydom would not be forgotten. The church adjoins a 17th-century Pauline monastery, which is modeled after a Renaissance castle. Every year in May, there are major religious processions led by Krakow bishops. This event brings many Polish notables and immense crowds of the faithful. Saint Stanislas' relics were carried from the Skalka sanctuary and church to the Wawel Cathedral and back.
This article by Herbert Class, of the Belgium Priory of the Order of Saint Stanislas, attests to the ceremony that was performed on May 14th. 2006.
On November 2, 1946, the late Pope John Paul II said his first Mass in the 12th-century crypt of St. Leonard’s under the Wawel Cathedral, where many Polish kings and national heroes were laid to rest. This was in Pope Paul's youth after he became a priest.
Our dear St. Stanislas is buried in Wawel Cathedral, thus the walk between these two important locations in Poland's historical legacy. The ceremony pays homage to their patron saint, who died 927 years previous. (see photos below).
Respectively submitted by Dame Margaret Orowaz-Sypniewska, B.F.A., SCM, ROP, ROJ.
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In the "Spirit of Saint Stanislas," our order was well represented. This event was one of the most impressive experience that our small group, from Belgium, can remember. When arriving in Krakow, Chaplain Rev. Father Geert Van de walle, and our group were welcomed heartily by the organizing authority of the Prior of Malopolska [Little Poland], Chev. Jacek Zyrkowski and Dame Wanda Tyminska. We met Chev. Richard Vaughan Rowlands from Austria, the Grand Legate of the Order. He was in a good mood. Together with our hosts, we went to town and were very agreeably surprised to discover that Krakow is a wonderful, medieval, southern – nearly "Italian" town, that never sleeps. Indeed, this journey was most interesting and lively. Krakow shines with impressive buildings, lots of fine restaurants, and pleasantly beautiful inhabitants.
The Penitential Procession itself is a huge enterprise that we "westerners" normally do not see. Practically the whole town participates in the ceremony: you have 60 to 80,000 spectators alongside the streets, at least 2,000 people participated in the procession including four (4) or five (5) cardinals, about fifteen (15) bishops, and two (2) large rows of professors from the local universities. Houses and apartments are timely decorated and everybody puts on his, or her, best face. The Order of St. Stanislas was there to represent our patron saint! When we learned that the three of us were the first visitors, coming from outside Poland, to be present at this event, our decision was made. We wanted all our fellow members of our Order of Saint Stanislas to read and see the photographs from this marvelous event.
It is true what Dame Wanda once said to our Grand Master:
Every member of the Order of St. Stanislas should participate in this event at least once in their lifetime! The event will give you a totally different perspective of the Order of Saint Stanislas and our patron saint. You can feel how powerful the convictions and sacrifice of the Bishop of Krakow (St. Stanislas) were in his own lifetime.
St. Stanislas has been a force of strength for just short of a millennium. The attendence shows that Saint Stanislas' influence still touches people today. It made us all understand what a great power is behind our chivalric and charitable order. That is one of the distinctive charateristics that makes it attractive and rewarding to belong to our Order.
A large number of photographs (with comments) are displayed here to give everyone a better understaning of this wonderful pilgrimage. Hopefully, these photographs will make our readers curious enough to attend next year's celebration. Being there and seeing this Penitential Procession yourself is a very rewarding and spiritual encounter.
Chev. Herbert Class, Belgium priory
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The Seven Psalms of Penitential Devotion: There are traditionally seven psalms of penitential devotions; they are numbers 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143. |
Thank you.