In the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki, there are retreats for parents who have experienced the failure of the kid – regardless of the minute and circumstances of his death. The meeting, held under the heading “Hope cannot fail” (Spes non confit), will last until Tuesday, 11 November.
We organize the retreat together with the household Ministry Children Lost Archdiocese of Krakow. The event takes place in the Basilica of Divine Mercy – 1 of the Jubilee churches of the Holy Year 2025.
"It is already Jesus risen. They search spiritual and intellectual healing, due to the fact that mourning is simply a healing process, but full healing is given by the risen Jesus, who has signs of identity of suffering on his hands, legs and sides. Orphans are healed, they close the period of mourning, but these identity marks after the child's death stay forever. Nevertheless, they are defined differently, felt, understood. These signs besides show not only what happened, that is, on death of the child and the associated suffering, but besides a fresh form of relation and presence of these children – points out Dr. Piotr Guzdek, a familologist from the Polish Association of Defenders of Human Life, 1 of the leaders of the deliberations.
The program of the retreat includes regular Holy Masses, spiritual conferences, services, as well as the anticipation of individual conversation with the priest and intellectual consultation. A peculiar minute of the 3rd day will be the alleged desert day – the time of individual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the sacrament of reconciliation and silence.
The retreat is conducted by Fr.Dr. Janusz Kościelniak, pastor of families of children lost to the Archdiocese of Krakow, and Dr. Piotr Guzdek. All Holy Masses are celebrated for the purposes of the dead children.
This year, participants can besides get a full indulgence due to the fact that the Basilica in Łagiewniki is 1 of the Jubilee churches announced by Pope Francis.
In the bull announcing Jubilee, the pope recalls that Christian hope does not end in death:
"In the face of death, where everything seems to end, we are assured that through Christ life changes, but does not end."
The retreats are open – parents can besides attend them, who only after years find themselves ready to experience mourning in the spirit of faith.
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