Walking pilgrimages are a religious phenomenon with centuries of tradition on a global scale. August in Poland marks a time when many journey to Blessed Virgin Mary sanctuaries, with Jasna Góra leading as the most prominent. The Feast of the Assumption of Mary on August 15 serves as a pinnacle of the pilgrimage season at the monastery.
The year 2023 saw nearly 90,000 people arrive at Jasna Góra, including 228 walking groups, 200 cycling groups, 17 running groups, two on rollerblades, and one equestrian group. The largest walking pilgrimages originated from Tarnów, Radom, Kraków and Warsaw.
Pilgrimage routes to Jasna Góra span several hundred kilometers. Pilgrims from Świnoujście have the longest journey, over 630 km. From Warsaw, it’s nearly 300 km. On average, pilgrims cover between 25 to 35 kilometers each day.
People seek spiritual renewal, and Poland is unique in the world for the depth of its pilgrimage spirituality, with participants ranging from the youth to the elderly. “People embark on pilgrimages seeking spiritual renewal, driven by faith. It is heartening to see tens, even hundreds of thousands, journeying to Marian sanctuaries,” said Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, President of the Polish Episcopal Conference, who also participates in walking pilgrimages. He noted the joy and enthusiasm added by the early morning starts and the relationships formed during these spiritual journeys.
For pilgrims, the time spent on these walking retreats allows them to experience the mystery of the Church, the importance of unity and the beauty of community life. “This pilgrim effort is a unique kind of retreat for me; it’s not just a public expression of faith, but also a spiritual experience that steers my heart towards transformation. Daily sacrifices, participation in Mass, listening to talks, and communal prayers – all these guide a person towards the path of conversion,” pilgrim Edyta Jurkowska-Wajszczuk told Vatican Radio.
The tradition of pilgrimage to the Jasna Góra Monastery dates back to the development of the veneration of the Black Madonna in the 17th century. Pilgrimages became an important of Polish religious life and continued even during the partition of Poland and World War II.
