Religious life at the Sanctuary

Religious life at the Sanctuary

The thing, which attracts a man here again is that mystery of uniting the Mother with the Son and the Son with the Mother. The mystery is told artistically and generously by all chapels and churches, which are located around the central basilica.

John Paul II in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska on 7^th June, 1979

The shrine of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is one of the most often visited pilgrimage places in Poland. It also supposed to be among the most interesting landscape and architectural projects in Europe. More than a million pilgrims arrive here every year. The most frequented event is the celebration of the Holy Week with the Glorious Mystery of the Lord and the Burial and Triumph of Our Lady Celebrations.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is a place of both the Passion of Christ worship and Marian devotion. The Passion of Christ worship shows itself in the service of Jesus Christ’s Avenues and in the Passion celebrations of the Holy week, whereas the Marian devotion in Our Lady’s Avenues service, the Burial and Triumph of Our Lady’s Procession, and in worshipping the miraculous image of Our Lady of Kalwaria, which has been here since 1641. It should be mentioned as well that the devotion of Our Lady is a complement of Jesus Christ devotion and they harmonise with each other very closely. Maria’s Mysteries intermingle with the Mysteries of Jesus Christ.