My last day in Krakow wasn't actually in Krakow. We traveled to Wadowice, which is the birthplace of Pope John Paul II. We had a hurried visit to the museum because we had a set time for Mass. I tried to take my time, which made me a couple of minutes late for Mass. Two things in the museum stood out to me: 1) looking through binoculars fixed to a wall and watching videos of JPII hiking in the mountains. In one of the videos, it was obvious he had difficulty walking. But the look of joy on his face was undeniable. 2) the canoes that he used during canoeing/camping trips with college students. He would turn the canoe upside-down and use it as an altar to celebrate Mass.
When JPII visited Krakow in 1979, the citizens were not informed of where he was going to be. Our guide's parents found out and took her (she was 18 months old at the time) to the street where he was going to be. She received a Papal Blessing that day.
I had no idea how instrumental JPII was in the downfall of the Iron Curtain. Following his visit, the Polish people rallied and Solidarity was born.
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Replica of the Cross that was used during the 1st Mass on Polish soil during the papal visit
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Mass in the church where JPII received the Sacraments of Initiation as well as the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the Minor Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Knowing this, it's easy to understand his devotion to the Blessed Mother.
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| Minor Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
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| I caught this nun talking on her cell phone at the entrance! |
The night before, I had a dream about my husband. He came to me, and I held his hand in both of mine. I told him I wanted to remember what it feels like because I knew he had to go back. I have no doubt God sent him to me to comfort me and show mercy to me. While we were in line to enter the salt mine in Wieliczka, a lady asked me if I had dreams about Robert. I told her about the dream, but it wasn't until later that I thought about the God-wink of her asking me that, the day after I had one. I don't have them very often, and I was very surprised I had one while I was in Poland.
Okay, on to the salt mines! This site is a UNESCO Heritage Site that dates back to the 11th century. We walked down to the 1st level, after going down 380 steps. The salt sculptures were just incredible.
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| Everything was made from salt (except for the wooden door) |
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Scene depicting Princess Kinga of Poland and how she became the Patron of Salt Miners
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| Looking down to the next level |
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| Whimsical Dwarves |
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| Scene showing salt mine workers |
Even though these sculptures were incredible, when we made it to Level III (after going down approximately 800 steps), the scene took our breath away:
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| St. Kinga Chapel: Even the chandeliers are made of salt |
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| Reliefs in Salt line the walls of the Chapel |
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| The reliefs are depictions of the life of Christ |
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| 3-D Relief: just amazing |
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| Altar of St. Kinga Chapel: Mass is held here every Sunday |
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| Crucifix in salt at the side of the altar |
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| Looking up in St. Kinga Chapel |
We walked down around 800 steps to get to the chapel. Luckily, we didn't have to climb back up those steps. Instead, we were crammed into a sketchy basket that carried us back up. I made sure one of the priests was in the basket with me...just in case.
The altar blew me away. I had no idea that was down there, and the fact that they celebrate Mass there every Sunday morning is astonishing.
It was a little sad to go to the airport the next morning. Poland is such a faith-filled country. And now that I know about all of the relics in the Minor Basilica at Wadowice, I can't wait to go back.
Mass in the church where JPII received the Sacraments of Initiation as well as the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the Minor Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Knowing this, it's easy to understand his devotion to the Blessed Mother.
The night before, I had a dream about my husband. He came to me, and I held his hand in both of mine. I told him I wanted to remember what it feels like because I knew he had to go back. I have no doubt God sent him to me to comfort me and show mercy to me. While we were in line to enter the salt mine in Wieliczka, a lady asked me if I had dreams about Robert. I told her about the dream, but it wasn't until later that I thought about the God-wink of her asking me that, the day after I had one. I don't have them very often, and I was very surprised I had one while I was in Poland.
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