This years pilgrimage to the tomb of Blessed Marta Wiecka, which is the seventh in succession, differs from all previous ones with its taking place during the Year of God’s Mercy. This year the faithful from Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia and Poland joi
ned Ukrainian pilgrims.
During the solemn Liturgy headed by Ordinary Bishop of Kamianets-Podilskyi Leon Dubravskyi we heard in a sermon that we gathered there to honor blessed Marta who united all of us. As St. Vincent de Paul said, “Sunbeams fall on dirty ground, however, they do not get dirty at that, but rather remain the sun. The same applies to holiness: against all odds, wherever it falls, let it be even the biggest sin, it does not get contaminated, but rather stays on holiness.” We see this through the examples of St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Marta. The tomb radiates light, it radiates holiness. Here we can draw charity and inspiration for good deeds.
Celebrating the Year of God’s Mercy, we specially pray for peace in Ukraine, with that kind of faith with which Blessed Marta prayed for everyone.
During the pilgrimage, using the opportunity to communicate with each other, participants gathered in groups to discuss their personal experience and to share with others their plans for the future. Work in groups was conducted under the slogan “United in charity.”
A procession from the church to the cemetery, where the grave of Blessed Marta Wiecka is situated, became the testimony of faith for the citizens and guests of Sniatyn. Pilgrims headed by Ordinary Bishop Leon Dubravskyi prayed over the tomb of Blessed Marta for peace and mercy and asked for God’s blessings in their needs.
So, even now we invite all those willing to the 8th Pilgrimage that will be held on May 27-28, 2017, in the year of 400th anniversary of Vincentian charism. Around this time the solemn completion ceremony of the 2-year pilgrimage of the relics of Blessed Marta Wiecka throughout our homeland Ukraine will also take place.
