On Tuesday morning, bright and early, 3 nuns and 5 pilgrims
woke up to travel to Wieliczka, where famous salt mines were located. The salt
mines closed in 1996, and have now been turned into a tourist attraction and
museum. Our group had the morning off, so the 8 of us decided to go to the salt mines (When in Poland, right?). It was Sr. Fatima, Sr. Nina, Sr. Lizbeth, Sarah L, Cameron E, Ross M, Emily P, and me.
This was actually the first time that I ever got to ride a tram and train. We boarded the tram (all access passes included in our pilgrim passes, Praise the Lamb) and rode to the train station. The quick jolt surprised me, but I got pretty used to it. The Poles were obviously making fun of us as we bumped into each other with each start and stop. It's not my fault that Alexandria and Lafayette aren't cool enough to have trams, okay? We get off at the train station, and wait about 10 minutes for our train. When it arrived, we entered. It was much nicer than the tram, with more room and a smoother ride.
When we arrived at Wieliczka, no one spoke English; they only pointed. So we walked in the direction of the mine, only to be turned around because the entrance we went to was for groups only, and we were to get tickets as individuals, with our own Zlotys. Getting in line as individuals, two kilometers later, we got our tickets, except for Cameron, whose bag was too large, so she had to walk back and put it in storage. Our group split into two, with Sr. Nina, Sarah, Emily, and I heading the first one. We walked down a million and a half stairs, before coming to the first level of the mine. Throughout the mines, we came across the tracks that the car would go on, gnomes that the miners built for their children to play with, and lots of salt. We even licked the walls when our tour guide was not looking, just to make sure our Zlotys were put to legitimate use, for actual salt.
The most amazing part, though, were the chapels. In our small tour, we came across 3 different chapels. Two were very simple, but the final one was extremely intricate. With chandeliers, salt carvings of The Last Supper and other biblical events, and even a salt statue of John Paul II, these mines really confirmed the fact that Poland is Catholic, and very Catholic at that. A choir was in the chapel as we entered, and I literally thought that I was listening to the 9 choirs of angels in that salt mine. Who knew a glimpse of Heaven was only 400 feet under Earth's surface? I think that the choir really made Jesus smile, that, and the fact that we were literally being the salt of the Earth (#Sermon On The Mount). Also, our tour guide was secretly The Flash, because she made a 2 1/2 hour tour 1 3/4 hour, which means we had to wait even longer for our second half. But after playing in the children's play area, the other group came, and we began our journey back. When they said there was an elevator to take to the top, I did not expect a legit mine shaft, but that was quite the (fast) ride. And thus the many salty jokes began.
I don't know if I have made this mistake a lot in the previous posts, but I feel like I am pressing the comma key when I should be pressing the period. Again, sorry English teachers.
So we begin our journey back to the train, and we stop for Lody. This, THIS was the best Lody I had on the trip. It was absolutely stellar. Then we boarded the train, and began our journey back for the opening mass for World Youth Day.
Once we arrived back at the hostel, and met up with the rest of the group, we began our journey to Blonia Park. The journey was longer than I expected. When we left the hostel, the skies were all clear. So we began down the street, and I am slowly thinking, wow it's hot. I thought it would be nice if some clouds appeared to ease the sunlight on my delicate skin.
While we were away at the salt mines, the rest of the group spent their morning very productively; they bought a watermelon. They also stuck an American Flag into it and paraded around the city chanting U-S-A, while calling the watermelon, melone. Melone: The Golden Calf of World Youth Day.
We walked around the castle in Krakow, and followed the signs to Blonia Park. About halfway there, my wish was granted, and clouds covered the sky. And those clouds came full. Full of water. Full of water. And since their were clear skies when we left, I did not think to pack a poncho. But apparently everyone else did...except for Brenna and me. And then the floodgates of heaven were opened, and rain poured upon Krakow, showering cold, cold blessings upon all of us. I received more than everyone else, because their ponchos were blocking all those blessings. My cotton clothes were soaking up those blessings like crazy. After walking about a kilometer in the rain, it continued to rain. And rain, and rain.
Before we walked to our seats we had a great view of the gigantic park. Then, suddenly, someone pulled a Moses, and the golden calf was no more. Melone was split in two. I, being the humble person I am, reached in and grabbed a huge bite of Melone, and others followed. After the watermelon was completely cleaned out, two pilgrims used each half of the water melon as a hat.
We found our spots at Blonia, and they were the best seats of all the many many sections. We were directly in front of the stage. When we showed them our ticket, they handed us a trash bag; I asked for a few more for my friends. They handed me some more, and little did they know, my friends were my torso, my butt and my backpack. We sat down, and the rain ceased. Praise the Lamb!
The giant screens were showing footage of the past world youth days, which only made me more excited for this one. As we drew nearer to the time of the Opening Mass, the choir sang the Theme Song for World Youth Day: Blogoslawieni Milosierni. Or as we say in English: Blessed Are the Merciful. Or as we say in English at World Youth Day: Local Spaghetti.
Mass begins, and Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz is the celebrant. The choir is absolutely beautiful, and I look around and see A LOT of people. Cardinal does a welcome in Polish, and then proceeds to welcome each one of the pilgrims in their native language. It was beautiful. He does his thank yous and opening remarks. Then, relics of Saints John Paul II and Faustina Kowalska are brought upon the altar, symbolizing their presence during this World Youth Day of mercy.
Mass continues, and then the Kyrie begins. "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy." It was beautiful.
To listen, click here.
It is around the 1:01:35 mark. It's definitely worth your time. And if you have time, the whole mass is a beautiful one. The Kyrie is followed by the Gloria, and the mass continues. The Psalm: Proclaim His marvelous deeds to all the nations." It was neat because "all the nations" were actually there!
Then the Gospel, where we sang the beautiful Alleluia. Then, they actually sang the entire Gospel. Cardinal then gave his homily, and gave a sermon on love and peace among all nations. You can watch the entire homily in the above link.
The next part that stuck out to me was the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy). W O W. It's at 1:52:35. Then I began to get worried as to how hectic Communion would be. But Jesus, I trust in You. After the consecration, the sign of peace (it was like the other day at Niepokolanow, but on steroids), and the rest of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, communion started, and these priests with big, white umbrellas came around. And the Europeans, not knowing what lines are, made a mad dash towards the priest. I eventually got it, and the choir continued to sing beautiful hymns. The hymns were in different languages, all very moving, and then they played a song called "Jesus Christ, You are My Life."
This song was written for past World Youth Days. At first, it may sound cheesy, but it really turned into an anthem for our love of Jesus Christ. You can listen at 2:22:50.
"Jesus Christ, you are my life, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Jesus Christ, you are my life, you are my life, Alleluia"
To look around, and see thousands of flags waving, hundreds of thousands of people singing, it was breathtaking. So many Catholics professing Christ as their reason for living, as their Savior, and their King. The choir changed keys multiple times, moving steps up on the scale, as the chorus repeated and got louder. Really, go listen to this song. We all became a little younger this week, as we recognized ourselves as sons and daughters of the Father.
We then received the final blessing; World Youth Day 2016 had officially begun. Amen.
We left Blonia in huge crowds, and our group got split up, but we all made it back to the hostel, melonheads and all.
Thus ends Day 7.
Nicholas Scalfano
The most amazing part, though, were the chapels. In our small tour, we came across 3 different chapels. Two were very simple, but the final one was extremely intricate. With chandeliers, salt carvings of The Last Supper and other biblical events, and even a salt statue of John Paul II, these mines really confirmed the fact that Poland is Catholic, and very Catholic at that. A choir was in the chapel as we entered, and I literally thought that I was listening to the 9 choirs of angels in that salt mine. Who knew a glimpse of Heaven was only 400 feet under Earth's surface? I think that the choir really made Jesus smile, that, and the fact that we were literally being the salt of the Earth (#Sermon On The Mount). Also, our tour guide was secretly The Flash, because she made a 2 1/2 hour tour 1 3/4 hour, which means we had to wait even longer for our second half. But after playing in the children's play area, the other group came, and we began our journey back. When they said there was an elevator to take to the top, I did not expect a legit mine shaft, but that was quite the (fast) ride. And thus the many salty jokes began.
I don't know if I have made this mistake a lot in the previous posts, but I feel like I am pressing the comma key when I should be pressing the period. Again, sorry English teachers.
So we begin our journey back to the train, and we stop for Lody. This, THIS was the best Lody I had on the trip. It was absolutely stellar. Then we boarded the train, and began our journey back for the opening mass for World Youth Day.
Once we arrived back at the hostel, and met up with the rest of the group, we began our journey to Blonia Park. The journey was longer than I expected. When we left the hostel, the skies were all clear. So we began down the street, and I am slowly thinking, wow it's hot. I thought it would be nice if some clouds appeared to ease the sunlight on my delicate skin.
While we were away at the salt mines, the rest of the group spent their morning very productively; they bought a watermelon. They also stuck an American Flag into it and paraded around the city chanting U-S-A, while calling the watermelon, melone. Melone: The Golden Calf of World Youth Day.
We walked around the castle in Krakow, and followed the signs to Blonia Park. About halfway there, my wish was granted, and clouds covered the sky. And those clouds came full. Full of water. Full of water. And since their were clear skies when we left, I did not think to pack a poncho. But apparently everyone else did...except for Brenna and me. And then the floodgates of heaven were opened, and rain poured upon Krakow, showering cold, cold blessings upon all of us. I received more than everyone else, because their ponchos were blocking all those blessings. My cotton clothes were soaking up those blessings like crazy. After walking about a kilometer in the rain, it continued to rain. And rain, and rain.
Before we walked to our seats we had a great view of the gigantic park. Then, suddenly, someone pulled a Moses, and the golden calf was no more. Melone was split in two. I, being the humble person I am, reached in and grabbed a huge bite of Melone, and others followed. After the watermelon was completely cleaned out, two pilgrims used each half of the water melon as a hat.
We found our spots at Blonia, and they were the best seats of all the many many sections. We were directly in front of the stage. When we showed them our ticket, they handed us a trash bag; I asked for a few more for my friends. They handed me some more, and little did they know, my friends were my torso, my butt and my backpack. We sat down, and the rain ceased. Praise the Lamb!
The giant screens were showing footage of the past world youth days, which only made me more excited for this one. As we drew nearer to the time of the Opening Mass, the choir sang the Theme Song for World Youth Day: Blogoslawieni Milosierni. Or as we say in English: Blessed Are the Merciful. Or as we say in English at World Youth Day: Local Spaghetti.
Mass begins, and Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz is the celebrant. The choir is absolutely beautiful, and I look around and see A LOT of people. Cardinal does a welcome in Polish, and then proceeds to welcome each one of the pilgrims in their native language. It was beautiful. He does his thank yous and opening remarks. Then, relics of Saints John Paul II and Faustina Kowalska are brought upon the altar, symbolizing their presence during this World Youth Day of mercy.
Mass continues, and then the Kyrie begins. "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy." It was beautiful.
To listen, click here.
It is around the 1:01:35 mark. It's definitely worth your time. And if you have time, the whole mass is a beautiful one. The Kyrie is followed by the Gloria, and the mass continues. The Psalm: Proclaim His marvelous deeds to all the nations." It was neat because "all the nations" were actually there!
Then the Gospel, where we sang the beautiful Alleluia. Then, they actually sang the entire Gospel. Cardinal then gave his homily, and gave a sermon on love and peace among all nations. You can watch the entire homily in the above link.
The next part that stuck out to me was the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy). W O W. It's at 1:52:35. Then I began to get worried as to how hectic Communion would be. But Jesus, I trust in You. After the consecration, the sign of peace (it was like the other day at Niepokolanow, but on steroids), and the rest of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, communion started, and these priests with big, white umbrellas came around. And the Europeans, not knowing what lines are, made a mad dash towards the priest. I eventually got it, and the choir continued to sing beautiful hymns. The hymns were in different languages, all very moving, and then they played a song called "Jesus Christ, You are My Life."
This song was written for past World Youth Days. At first, it may sound cheesy, but it really turned into an anthem for our love of Jesus Christ. You can listen at 2:22:50.
"Jesus Christ, you are my life, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Jesus Christ, you are my life, you are my life, Alleluia"
To look around, and see thousands of flags waving, hundreds of thousands of people singing, it was breathtaking. So many Catholics professing Christ as their reason for living, as their Savior, and their King. The choir changed keys multiple times, moving steps up on the scale, as the chorus repeated and got louder. Really, go listen to this song. We all became a little younger this week, as we recognized ourselves as sons and daughters of the Father.
We then received the final blessing; World Youth Day 2016 had officially begun. Amen.
We left Blonia in huge crowds, and our group got split up, but we all made it back to the hostel, melonheads and all.
Thus ends Day 7.
Nicholas Scalfano
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