The ceremony of dead children was held in the Tyniecki Podgórniki Kraków. The ceremony, during which 43 children were said goodbye, took place on March 3, 2026.
– erstwhile we face large suffering, we frequently neglect to find words to comfort someone. And after all, the failure of a beloved kid is just specified a suffering that transcends human imaginations – said Fr Janusz Kościelniak, the diocesan pastor of families of lost children in the homily. – The words from the Book of Lamentations that we heard present can be an indication of how to last this time: “Keep quiet, looking for aid from the Lord,” he added.
– frequently our words may seem out of place. But present we come to God and ask him to lead us through this hard time. God the Father wants to assure us above all that your children live in eternity. Of course, the question arises as to why they lived on this earth so briefly. We won't find the answers. But religion allows us to endure in the hope that 1 day we will meet these children. And present we have a love that is stronger than death," said the preacher.
The priest pointed out that people surviving on earth are part of the Church of Pilgrimage. We're inactive on our way. But there is besides a suffering Church, or all those who in Purgatory are waiting to enter heaven. And yet there is the glorious Church, the triumphant one. And part of this Church is already your children – he addressed the families present at the ceremony. “Your children present look at you and pray with you.” he added.
Fr Kościelniak emphasized that parenting does not end erstwhile the kid dies. Dear parents, you are parents forever. That's never gonna change. Your children live and are your advocates in heaven. And your longing and regret are natural," said the priest. “Today we hope that 1 day your children will come out to meet you,” he added.
The diocesan minister of the families of the children lost in the homily concluded with the words of Psalm 25: “Guard my life and deliver me, that I may not be disappointed erstwhile I flee to you. Let innocence and righteousness defend me, for in you, Lord, I have hope.”
After Holy Mass, the participants of the ceremony refused to entrust the dead children to God’s mercy. Families of dead children and employees of the Polish Association of Defenders of Human Life participated in the prayer. The ceremony was organised by the Municipal Social Assistance Centre in Krakow.
Children's ashes were donated by S. Żeromski Specialist infirmary in Krakow, the L. Rydygier Specialist infirmary in Krakow, the Ujastek Medical Center in Krakow and the University infirmary in Krakow. They date from 1 June 2024 to 31 December 2025.
Pastoral Ministry of Families of Lost Children
Every second Friday of the period at 6:00 p.m., the diocesan priest of the parents after the failure performs Mass in the intention of grieving parents and families. Masses are held in the sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. During the Eucharist, families lay on the altar cards with the names of dead children. After Mass, adoration is conducted, which ends with the individual blessing of the Blessed Sacrament.
Currently, the law in force in Poland requires that a kid be buried at all phase of pregnancy, if his remains or corpses have been secured. If the household (for any reason) does not decide to collect the body from the hospital, it is the work of the municipality to bury the kid (Regulation of the Minister of wellness of 7 December 2001 on the treatment of corpses and human remains).
Information about the next group funerals of lost children can be obtained in respective ways: by calling the City Social Assistance Centre, the infirmary where the kid was lost, and by following websites Polish Life Defenders Association and Department of household Ministry in Kraków.
