Father Péter Gergő Bese, priest of the Polish-Hungarian friendship, created a unique guidebook about the pilgrimage sites in southern Poland. In an interview with the vasarnap.hu portal, the popular priest also revealed what we Hungarians could learn from the Poles.
– In his first independent book, he writes about pilgrimage sites in southern Poland. Why did you choose this topic?
- Surely many people already know about me that I am very committed to Polish-Hungarian friendship. I really like going on a pilgrimage to Poland, traveling or just hiking. It was my love and commitment to Poland that prompted me to write the "Mary's Journey...Mary's Shrines of Southern Poland" . I compiled the volume from the experiences and practical advice of the past years, the foreword of which Balázs Bábel , Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kalocsa-Kecskemét. I have collected places of worship hidden among the slopes of hills and mountains, which most Hungarian travelers do not even know about.
I consider it important that our compatriots also see these wonderfully beautiful holy places, which are oases of spiritual replenishment.
– What touched you first in southern Poland?
- If we now narrowly look at these holy places, the first thing that amazed me was the conscientious care of these holy places. We can meet wonderfully renovated or rebuilt churches and interior order, where divine grace can truly be felt. Hungarians are also amazed by the fact that whenever they arrive at such a place of pilgrimage, they can meet people praying.
That is, these places are not only architectural gems, not just tourist attractions, but actually functioning places of pilgrimage.
- To whom do you recommend the book?
– The volume can be used well by everyone, but we made a conscious effort to make it a modern and youthful publication. One that fits comfortably in a hiking bag or even a small bag. I really intended this book to be a companion that can help families or the elderly so that if they go on a trip to southern Poland, it will really benefit them. In other words, in addition to the usual historical summaries, it also contains information that can be easily used to help navigate the present: for example, where the parking lots, washrooms, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. are located.
- Why is all this attractive to young people?
– The youngest generation lives in a completely different lifestyle, they use the available tools differently. For them, we have placed QR codes next to the images of places of worship, which can be scanned with a smartphone to access some interesting information or other audiovisual content. We hope that this will also appeal to the youth.
– How many places of pilgrimage in southern Poland are available in the volume?
– I am presenting eighteen Marian shrines and places of pilgrimage that date back hundreds of years. These are refueling points to which devotees still flock from all over the country. The respect for these holy places remained intact even in the most difficult times. Consider that Poland was wiped off the map several times, but the Polish people survived and were able to get back on their feet again and again. Their faith and these shrines helped them in this.
In their souls, they are completely entwined with the Black Madonna , as they link the survival of their people to Mary.
In contrast to Hungary, Catholicism and the the Virgin Mary .
To refuse such an outstretched hand is a sin. We Hungarians also need this helping hand!
If we find our way back to the roots of faith, we can feel that we can entrust our lives to the Good Lord - and it is great to build together with Him.
Source: Vasarnap.hu
Author: Gábor Tóth
Picture: Péter Gergő Bese
