“John Paul II – The Pope of Family” – was the motto in Poland celebrated the 12th Day of John Paul II . Nearly 100 thousand. volunteers throughout the country gathered to collect money for scholarship of the Foundation “Dzieło Nowego Tysiąclecia”. More than 2 500 talented young people from poor families will receive monthly financial support for their entire education.
The Day of John Paul II is celebrated since 2001 on Sunday preceding the anniversary of the election of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla to the papacy. At that time in many cities in Poland and abroad are organized cultural events devoted to the pontificate of the Polish Pope. For the establishment of the Day, John Paul II personally thanked from Vatican.
(…) I have always counted on the spiritual support of my countrymen, and still get them. For its part reciprocate the kindness of the Lord, asking Him for all the good Poland and Poles need. Here we continue to abide in the communion of prayer. I know that this day is combined with a beautiful idea to promote the scholarship of young Poles who find themselves in difficult material conditions. (…) Thank you to the organizers, artists, and all who join this work. Let the Day of John Paul II will bring all the Poles deep spiritual experience and abundant fruit of grace. God bless you!
This year’s main celebration took place on 14th October in Warsaw, where the concert was broadcasted by TVP .Among others there performed Pectus, Piotr and Wojciech Cugowscy, Dzieci z Brodą, and Andrzej andMaja Sikorowscy, Trebunie Tutki, Steczkowscy Brothers. The star of the concert was also Paddy Kelly former artist of The Kelly Family. The concert was led by Paweł Krolikowski and Małgorzata Ostrowska-Królikowska – married couple.
Watch DziełoTV Interview with Paddy Kelly and Paweł Królikowski!
The Pope Benedict XVI during the Angelus prayer at the Vatican addressed his words to people gathered by The Day of John Paul II:
I greet the Poles. Today in Poland and Polish parishes in the world the Day od John Paul II is celebrated under the theme: “John Paul II – The Pope of Family.” Thank you for this expression of communion with Vatican, for your prayers and support of young fellows of the Foundation `Dzieło Nowego Tysiąclecia” which prepares the day. I wish you living flames of faith burning in every Polish family of good and evangelical love.
The significance of this year’s word of the Pope, stressed the Archbishop Tadeusz Gocłowski during the Mass. in the church he said:
The shape of civilization, especially the European and its identity, is insecure because of rejecting the challenge: union of a man and a woman, which is a marriage and family.
The day before TOTUS Awards Gala took place at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, organized by the “Dzieło Nowego Tysiąclecia”. These awards called “Catholic Nobles” are annualy given to individuals and institutions whose active contribute lead to the promotion of the teaching of John Paul II. The winners this year were: a writer Barbara Wachowicz, hospice chaplain Fr. Andrew Dziedziul MIC, Jacek Moskwa and the Polish Section of Vatican Radio. During the Gala sang Anna Wyszkoni, Kasia Kowalska and Cugowscy brothers.
One of the most important celebrations of the Pope, was a collection to fund a scholarship for talented young people from low-income families and small towns. In the 12 years of its operation, it helped more than 4 thousand people. Currently, the beneficiaries of the fund is 2.5 thousand young people from across the Poland. A characteristic feature of this scholarship program is the fact that scholarships are awarded for the duration of study, ranging from middle school to high school graduation. This is one of the few, if not the only one program in Poland.
tr. Lidia Zdzitowiecka
Photo by Radoslaw Kucharz
