Church of Our Lady Revealing the Miraculous Medal
The Church of Our Lady Revealing the Miraculous Medal is located in Zakopane-Olcza, Poland.
In 1913, priests of the Congregation of the Mission were invited to this parish, which is close to Tatra Mountains in outskirts of Zakopane, in southern Poland. From the beginning of their ministry, they cherished and spread devotion and dedication to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
The present church, which has been variously described as looking like shepherd's tent or as two hands in prayer, was built in the 1980s.
The parish is a center of the Miraculous Medal Association in Poland.
On December 7, 2008, the church was established as a Diocesan Sanctuary (according to Canon 1230 C.I.C). The Archbishop of Krakow, Stanislaw Cardinal Dziwisz signed a decree which stated that the purpose of establishing the church as a Diocesan Sanctuary is:
to commemorate Mary Immaculate Revealing Miraculous Medal who receives special devotion and respect of faithful in the parish church in Zakopane-Olcza, according to Canon 1320 of Canon Law I do establish this temple a Diocesan Sanctuary.
The decree further states:
I trust that elevation of this church to dignity of sanctuary will contribute to spread of devotion to Mary, and that the faithful coming to this place will take refuge with trust in the care Immaculate Virgin and that they will receive graces they ask for. Let fame of this holy place spread around Podhale region and throughout the Archdiocese of Krakow like shining rays shown on the Miraculous Medal of Our Lady.
I entrust pastoral concern of this shrine to Vincentian Priests. I am asking them to provide, thanks to their dedicated service, an opportunity to draw from this source of favors, especially Eucharist and encounter with Merciful Christ in the sacrament of reconciliation and in by the Word of God to all coming in pilgrims.
I am giving my pastoral blessing to all pilgrims visiting the shrine, parishioners and ministering priests.
"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who take refuge in thee."
A solemn Mass was celebrated on Sunday, December 7, at which Msgr Jan Szkodon, auxiliary bishop of Krakow, presided. The Visitor of Poland, Fr. Arkadiusz Zakreta CM and all his Council, confreres from Provincial House concelebrated. Fr Mieczyslaw Kozlowski CM, pastor of the church, greeted members of the city and district administration, parishioners and pilgrims.
The Mass was broadcast live by the local Radio Alex on radio and on the Internet. Radio Alex 105.2FM regularly broadcasts live Sunday Mass for elderly and sick people from this church, as well as other religious services, catechesis and spiritual conferences. Live video streaming was available at www.watra.pl, the local news website.
- Slideshow from the Proclamation of Diocesan Sanctuary ceremony: in English or in Polish
- More pictures from the church in Olcza, Zakopane are available in media gallery
