THEY ARRIVED IN CLUB COLOURS
Fr. STANISŁAW TOMOŃ OSPPE
The main motif of the 8th Patriotic Pilgrimage of Supporters held on 9 January 2016 at Jasna Góra, was the 60th anniversary of Poznań June and the 1050th anniversary of Poland baptism. About 5 thousand representatives of various football clubs arrived from all over Poland, also Poles from the Border Lands, supporting the FK club Lida from Belarus and KS Polonia club from Vilnus. There also arrived a delegation of supporters from Hungary. Also soldiers of the National Army were present in the pilgrimage. – Through our pilgrimage, we particularly want to celebrate workers from Poznań, who in 1956 set up flags in order to fight for freedom against the communist regime – said Fr. Jarosław Wąsowicz, a Salesian and priest for supporters and a supporter of Lechia Gdańsk. Fans praying at Jasna Góra are always accompanied by intercession of blessed priest Jerzy Popiełuszko, whom they consider as their patron.
The pilgrims participated in the Holy Mass in the Chapel of the Miraculous Image of Our Lady, which was presided over by Fr. Leszek Zioło, and the homily was preached by Fr. Wąsowicz. Fans’ banners were traditionally consecrated as well as their scarves in club colours. Among priests celebrating the Mass were, among the others, Fr. Tadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski, and also priests supporters of various football clubs. The supporters were greeted by Fr. Jan Poteralski - a sub-prior of Jasna Góra. – You are really important people in Poland – he said to supporters – After all, these are you who love Poland so much, speaking about steadfast soldiers on stadiums, these are you whom one can meet in streets of Polish cities, where you express your clear attitude for Poland, for those who fought for it. What great heroes of XXI century you are, how important your voice is which concerns the future of Poland. Cheerio to great Poland! – said Father the sub-prior. – Cheerio! – answered the crowd of supporters.
The fans met with the editor Wojciech Sumliński. There was also a traditional show of banners on defensive walls of Jasna Góra, to whose musical setting fans of Poznań Lech had prepared. The show reminisced the anniversary of the Poznań June ’56 and the 1050th anniversary of Poland Baptism. Another point of the meeting was a concert organized in the hall of Fr. Kordecki, by Paweł Piekarczyk, devoted to Exiled Soldiers. The director Jerzy Zalewski prepared a pre-premiere of the long-awaited film ‘Story of Roj’, presented in Hale of St. Joseph, which enters the screens on 4 March 2016.
Fr. Jarosław Wąsowicz emphasizes that the pilgrimage is one of proofs for the fact that despite club animosity, Polish fans could unite together around patriotic values, around issues important for Poland.
AA
„Niedziela” 3/2016