Cracow: Benedict XVI Celebrated Holy Mass in Błonia

Poles are called to provide witness to faith before the whole world – urged Benedict XVI at the Cracow Błonia. In the presence of around one million faithful he presided over a Holy Mass with around 1,500 priests, 20 cardinals, 28 archbishops, and 120 bishops from several countries.

The Pope celebrated the Holy Mass under the roofing of the altar in the form of a barge from the Vistula River, towered over by a 23-metre cross with the papal crest and an image of the Merciful Jesus against the backdrop of a wall made up of red and red-and-golden flowers, symbols of the flames of the Holy Spirit. The floral decoration took up the total area of 143 square metres.

The Holy Father, arriving at the venue of the celebration in the Popemobile shortly after 9.30 am, was enthusiastically received by the faithful gathered in Błonia, including the several hundred thousand young people who had spent a night on site after the evening encounter with Benedict XVI. Pilgrims came to Błonia not only from all parts of Poland, but also from such countries as Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Belarus. Traditionally, they brought numerous banners and flags, mainly in papal colours. Attending the Holy Mass was President of the Republic of Poland Lech Kaczyński, Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, Speaker of the Diet Marek Jurek, Speaker of the Senate Bogdan Borusewicz, as well as former Polish President Lech Wałęsa and local authorities with the Mayor of Cracow Jacek Majchrowski. Benedict XVI was greeted by Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, who said that John Paul II rejoices in the fact that the new Pope "walks on this land in his footsteps" and reminded that it was John Paul II who years ago called Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to Rome as his closest collaborator. – Now You have accepted his ministry and represent Christ on earth for us – Cardinal Dziwisz told the Pope. - You have the right to our hearts. You have the right to our grateful prayer. Our home is your home. Our Church is your Church. Bless us and lead us - asked Metropolitan of Cracow.

In his homily Benedict XVI called upon Poles to give the witness to their faith in Jesus Christ before the whole world.

"When Karol Wojtyła was elected to the See of Peter … your land became a place of special witness to faith in Jesus Christ. You were called to give this witness before the whole world. This vocation of yours is always needed, and it is perhaps even more urgent than ever, now that the Servant of God has passed from this life. Do not deprive the world of this witness!" – called the Pontiff.

Encouraging Poles to provide a witness to faith, he put forth particular guidelines for ways to tackle this challenge. He asked Poles to "bear courageous witness to the Gospel before today’s world, bringing hope to the poor, the suffering, the lost and abandoned, the desperate and those yearning for freedom, truth and peace." Further on the Pope asked that "by doing good to your neighbour and showing your concern for the common good, you bear witness that God is love."

He appealed to Poles: "Share with the other peoples of Europe and the world the treasure of your faith."

He also addressed John Paul II’s compatriots with a personal request: "And remember me in your prayers and sacrifices, even as you remembered my great Predecessor, so that I can carry out the mission Christ has given me. I ask you to stand firm in your faith! Stand firm in your hope! Stand firm in your love!"

After the Holy Communion, which Benedict XVI gave among others to President Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria, children receiving the First Communion, consecrated persons and one disabled person, the congregation sang the solemn hymn "We Sing You Glory, O God." Prior to the "Regina caeli" prayer and the imparting of a solemn blessing, Benedict XVI greeted residents of Cracow, pilgrims from the whole country, scholarship holders of the Dzieło Nowego Tysiąclecia Foundation, the Episcopal Conference of Poland, representatives of other Episcopal Conferences from Europe, as well as professors and students of Polish universities. He extended his thanks to all who contributed to the organisation of meetings with the faithful and who showed him their generosity.

The Pope turned with a special message to the youth, thanking them for the book with the declarations: "Drugs - No thanks - I am free from drugs." "I ask you like a father: be faithful to this word. Your life is at stake and your freedom. Do not succumb to the sham of this world," said the Holy Father.

Benedict XVI entrusted all the faithful to the Mother of the Redeemer asking Her to be a guide of their faith. After the reception of the apostolic blessing, the faithful clapped their hands and chanted "Long live the Pope" and "Stay with us" as well as sang traditional Polish songs wishing the Holy Father long years of life.

The Holy Father descended the podium on which the altar was located, greeted a representative of the Moscow Patriarchate and President Kaczyński and his wife. He then set off for the House of the Archbishops of Cracow, where he will have lunch in the company of Polish bishops and members of the papal entourage.

oprac. aw//ter