Apostolic Nuncio to Poland in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: Let us pray for unity in the Church in Poland and for vocations
I have come here to pray and to invite you above all to pray for unity in the Church in Poland, for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, and for the ability to pass on the faith to younger generations – said the Apostolic Nuncio to Poland, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Marian-Passion Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, where he presided over the traditional procession of the Funeral of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
https://episkopat.pl/doc/233372.Nuncjusz-Apostolski-w-uroczystosc-Wniebowziecia-NMP-Maryja-nie
https://episkopat.pl/doc/233406.Il-Nunzio-Apostolico-in-Polonia-a-Kalwaria-Zebrzydowska
The celebrations began with Vespers at the chapel of the House of the Mother of God on the Calvary paths.
Among the matters entrusted to God, the Apostolic Nuncio to Poland mentioned: unity in the Church and social harmony, vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, as well as young people and the ability to pass on the faith to them.
Let us pray for unity in the Church in Poland
"I have come here to pray and to invite you above all to pray for unity in the Church in Poland. This unity is linked to harmony in society: the Church always strives to promote this social harmony and never encourages conflict and strife. Unfortunately, sometimes divisions in society also become divisions in the Church. We must avoid polarisation at all levels of ecclesial and social life! We should not accept this situation of division!" – appealed Archbishop Filipazzi. He also called for prayer "that the cause of division, which is sin, selfishness and, above all, pride, may be removed from every heart".
Let us pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life
The Apostolic Nuncio to Poland also encouraged prayer for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, "because, unfortunately, their absence is increasingly felt, also in your homeland." "In the face of this situation, we must not give up, but pray and act!" – he appealed. He emphasised that prayer for vocations also requires prayer for marriages and families, "so that they may be open to life, and prayer for society – politics, economy, education – so that it may create conditions conducive to a higher birth rate."
Archbishop Filipazzi admitted that when praying for vocations, we must remember that this means not only asking for many vocations, but above all for good vocations. "Moreover, in the context of young people's lives in particular, who avoid making definitive choices, praying for vocations also means asking for the perseverance of priests and consecrated persons until the end" – he pointed out. "Let us not delude ourselves: the shortage of vocations is not a problem that can be solved by human strategies; above all, prayer is needed" – he admitted.
Let us pray for young people
He also asked for prayers for young people and for the ability to pass on the faith to them. He encouraged us to pray "for light, strength and comfort, so that we may be able to see the signs of hope that exist and renew our commitment and joy in being able to bring our young people to meet their Redeemer in the Holy Church, which is His extension in time".
Mary did not distance herself from us
The Apostolic Nuncio then presided over Holy Mass at the Church of the Tomb of the Mother of God in Brody. During his homily, he pointed out that "after the Assumption, Mary not only did not distance herself from us, but now she can reach us at all times and in all places where people live". He added that in this way she fulfils her maternal mission, which Christ entrusted to her on Calvary.
Press Office of the Polish Bishops' Conference
