Women Pilgrims Unite at Piekary Shrine in Tradition
Generations of women—grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and granddaughters—have journeyed to Our Lady of Piekary, a tradition deeply woven into the fabric of Silesian culture. During his Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV gre…
Generations of women—grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and granddaughters—have journeyed to Our Lady of Piekary, a tradition deeply woven into the fabric of Silesian culture. During his Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV greeted these pilgrims who brought their family stories and intentions to the shrine, which serves as a cornerstone of religious identity in the region.
Among the participants, Dominika Szczawińska shared her long-standing connection to the pilgrimages. In an interview with Vatican News, she reflected, “I used to come here as a young wife, praying for a child, then as a young mother, and today I am the mother of teenagers.” For Szczawińska, who had taken part in the Piekary pilgrimages for more than 20 years, the gathering signified more than just a pilgrimage; it encapsulated the support, sensitivity, and empathy shared among women in both spiritual and everyday contexts.
Over the years, Szczawińska had traversed various phases of her life at Piekary, expressing gratitude, seeking assistance and forgiveness, and enjoying companionship with other women. She noted the inclusive nature of the pilgrimage, stating, “Grandmothers, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, and friends come together here. Teenagers come too.”
Separate pilgrimages for men and women had been a significant aspect of Upper Silesia's religious culture for decades. Fr. Rafał Skitek, the spokesman for the Archdiocese of Katowice, recalled the words of Cardinal August Hlond, who emphasized that visiting Our Lady of Piekary was essential for understanding the faith and soul of the Silesian people. Pope John Paul II had strong ties to the shrine, frequently visiting while Archbishop of Kraków and continuing to send greetings to pilgrims during his papacy. In the communist era, Piekary became an important place for teaching about the dignity of workers, their rights and responsibilities, and the principles of Catholic social teaching.
At this gathering, Archbishop Andrzej Przybylski, Metropolitan of Katowice, welcomed the attendees by presenting Mary as a paragon of female dignity. He asserted, “No one has the right to hurt or humiliate you. Every one of you is called to great things, and above all to holiness.” The central event of this year’s gathering was a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Archbishop Zbigniew Zieliński, Metropolitan Archbishop of Poznań. Once again, women of different ages made their way to the shrine, combining personal prayer with a tradition that has shaped the religious landscape of Upper Silesia for decades.
