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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Piesza Opolska Pielgrzymka na Jasną Górę

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Started on 17th August 1977 the Opole Walking Pilgrimage to Jasna Góra was a result of many centuries oftradition of dévotion to Our Lady ofCzęstochowa in the Opole region. After érection ofthe apostolic administration ofthe Opole Silesia in 1945 and Opole diocese 27 years later preparing the whole-diocese pilgrimage was impossible because oftwo factors: political context ofthe PPL and reluctance of bishop Franciszek Jop to provoke the government unfavourable towards the Church. Not before 1976, with bishop Jop being deadly sick, his auxiliary bishop - Wacław Wycisk let fr. Edmund Cisak (priest in Grodziec) to prepare the pilgrimage. On the starting day ofthe First Opole Walking Pilgrimage from the church of St. Apostles Peter nad Paul in Opole, 500 people started. The trail went through Grodziec, Zborowskie and Wręczyca. With time it has been extended, among others, by adding diocesan sanctuaries in Kamień Śląski and Góra św. Anny to the trail. The success of the first pilgrimage effected in a growing interest in this initiative. The highest point was reached in 1987 with 20 000 faithful pilgrimaging. Since then attendance is dropping (with only few exceptions) down to 3000 pilgrims in 2016. The history ofthe Opole Walking Pilgrimage is a sum of experiences ofsingular pilgrims, worries of its directors and many services (such as order service or medical service), it is a service of many priests and sisters, as well as time of fighting and cooperation with representatives of government. It is, lastly, a joy of prayer, labour of penance and worries generated by behaviour of undisciplined participants. In 2016 the Opole Pilgrimage went to Jasna Góra for the 40th time.