“In inaugurating this mosaic, we believe it will contribute to an even deeper relationship between Poland and the Holy See,” said Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda SAC, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, during the inauguration of the mosaic of Our Lady of Gietrzwałd in the Vatican Gardens. On this occasion, he also stressed that “Poland and the Church in Poland are awaiting the Holy Father’s visit.”
“From this day forward, she who came 150 years ago to simple people in the land of Warmia will remain permanently present in this place, reminding the world of what matters most: prayer, conversion, and trust in God,” Archbishop Wojda said.
The Archbishop noted that the apparitions at Gietrzwałd remain a unique gift to the Polish nation. He recalled that, at a time when the Polish language, culture, and national identity were undergoing severe trials, the Blessed Virgin Mary spoke in Polish to two young girls in Gietrzwałd.
“It was a sign that God does not forget His children, and that Mary remains close to her sons and daughters even when history places them before difficult trials,” he said.
Archbishop Wojda added that the mosaic is much more than a work of art.
“It is a sign of presence. It is a testimony to the faith of a nation that, for generations, has repeated: ‘Mary, Queen of Poland, I stand by you, I remember, I keep watch.’ It is also a reminder that the Church breathes with the richness of nations, languages, and traditions, all of which form one family of God's children,” he emphasized.
The President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference said it is a great honour that the image of Our Lady of Gietrzwałd, so deeply rooted in the spiritual history of the Polish nation, has found its place near the See of Peter.
“One could say that today Gietrzwałd comes to the Vatican, and Poland brings to the heart of the Church a part of its history, its faith, and its spirituality,” he said.
“In inaugurating this mosaic, we believe it will contribute to an even deeper relationship between Poland and the Holy See. May it also serve as a warm and heartfelt invitation to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, to visit our land in the near future and meet a nation that, for centuries, has cherished a special love for the Successor of Saint Peter,” Archbishop Wojda said.
“Poland and the Church in Poland are awaiting the Holy Father’s visit,” he stressed.
“May Our Lady of Gietrzwałd watch over the entire Church, the Holy Father, Poland, and all the pilgrims who come to this holy place,” Archbishop Wojda prayed.
In conclusion, the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the creation of the mosaic and to the organization of the inauguration ceremony.
Press Office of the Polish Bishops' Conference
https://episkopat.pl/doc/249245.President-of-the-Polish-Bishops-Conference-in-the-Vatican