For the 102nd time, healthcare workers from all over Poland have gathered for a national pilgrimage to the Jasna Góra Marian Sanctuary in Częstochowa, led by the National Health Service Chaplain, Father Arkadiusz Zawistowski. – “The pilgrimage is an opportunity to rebuild spiritual strength, which is necessary for everyday medical service – this environment needs spiritual strengthening”
The event began with the 46th Healthcare Retreat on May 15-16, 2026, in the Chapel of St. Joseph, at the Jasna Góra Monastery, initiated by Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko (1947-1984), the chaplain of the medical community.
The retreat was led by Father Prof. Grzegorz Godawa (Krakow, Jagiellonian University of John Paul II). In the Conference on May 15, 2026, Father Professor Grzegorz Godawa emphasized that “we are called to remain in love and unity with one another. This requires God’s wisdom. The love of physicians translates not only into the good of the patient, but also into our well-being.” “Christ is not divided. He is one, whole for all of us.”
The President of the Catholic Association of Polish Nurses and Midwives, Dr. Tadeusz Wadas, presented the life and work of the Polish nurse Blessed Hanna Chrzanowska.
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Stations of the Cross of the Health Service was celebrated on Wały Jasna Góra at 10:00 p.m., led by nurses.
On May 16, 2026, at 9:00 PM, the Jasna Góra Appeal was recited, with reflections led by Bishop Romuald Kaminski, Chairman of the Polish Episcopal Conference’s Team for Pastoral Care of Healthcare, who gave thanks for the gift of those serving in healthcare and asked Mary for intercession for the medical community and the grace of a good understanding of their vocation. “Your work is not just a profession. It is a calling to be witnesses to hope. It is not an ordinary profession like thousands.”
Advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland, Beata Kempa, read a letter from the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, addressed to participants in the National Pilgrimage of Healthcare Workers to Jasna Góra. She read: “I wholeheartedly thank you for your daily witness of fidelity to Christian and Hippocratic ideals and for the dedication with which you fulfill your professional calling. Referring to Montesquieu’s thought, one can say that not only freedom, but also health is a good that enables the enjoyment of other goods… we are aware that Divine Providence most often uses people – specialists in the field of health care, professionals with great knowledge, experience, and empathy…
May 17, 2026, on Sunday at 11:00 AM, Holy Mass concelebrated on Wały Jasna Góra, presided over by Bishop Józef Kupny with the participation of Bishop Romulado Kamiński, chairman of the KEP Team for the Pastoral Care of Healthcare. – the central event of the pilgrimage, with the participation of standard-bearers of the medical communities of: Catholic Association of Polish Doctors, Catholic Association of Polish Nurses and Midwives, Catholic Association of Laboratory Diagnosticians and Catholic Association of Polish Pharmacists. The standard-bearer of the Catholic Association of Polish Doctors Main Board: Dr. Łukasz Pilarz, Dr. Andrzej Niemirski (standard-bearer), Dr. Elżbieta Gąsecka.
Archbishop Józef Kupny, Metropolitan Archbishop of Wrocław, reminded the audience in his homily that those who serve others must recognize and acknowledge their infinite dignity. He encouraged the participants: “Your work is not just a profession. It is a vocation. Do not become weary. Do not lose hope. Do not give up on good, on ethical action.” Your teaching is not about words, but about patience with the sick, respect for their dignity, presence at the suffering person’s bedside, and decisions made in conscience. Your teaching is about love.
During the pilgrimage, the first meeting of the newly elected Board of the Catholic Association of Polish Physicians, chaired by Professor Dariusz Gąsecki, was also held.
Holy Mass on the Jasna Góra ramparts concluded the 102nd National Health Service Pilgrimage to Jasna Góra, during which the Act of Entrustment of the Polish Health Service to the Mother of God was once again recited. Our Lady of Jasna Góra, you are our Hetman, Poland’s Queen and the best Mother. The next Pilgrimage will take place on May 15-16, 2027.
