4/23/11

Swieconka - Eastern Basked



Food blessing on the Main Market in Krakow




Today in Krakow food was blessed on the Main Square by archbishop Stanislaw cardinal Dziwisz.

Polish tradition: food blessing on Holy Saturday


On Holy Saturday in all polish churches there is traditionally food blessing for the Eastern breakfast. Polish people visits a church with a basket full of food products (a piece of bread, salt, sausage, egg - usually painted etc).

4/22/11

Way of the Cross in Kalwaria Zebrzydowaska

 Basilica of St. Mary and monastery of the Franciscans (Ordo Fratrum Minorum)

 Ecce homo chapel - Herod's palace


Chapel of the third fall 


 Chapel of the Crucifixion

Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre

During the Holy Week hundreds of thousands of Catholics come each year to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska near Krakow to the Sanctuary of Our Lady led by the Franciscans.  They take part in the processions over the chapels of the Way of the Cross built in the surrounding area.

Catholic tradition: Holy Week confesion


4/19/11

Processional banners




Memento homo mori







During the Lent in the St. Francis of Assisi's church in Krakow there is a traditional devotion organized by the Franciscans and the Fraternity of God's Passion. This unusual fraternity was established over 400 years ago.

During this celebration the special Lenten Devotion is sang by the priests. The Fraternity responds in Latin - ‘Memento homo mori’ – Remember man about the death. Following is the Eucharistic procession with the Franciscans singing ‘Stabat Mater Dolorosa’ (in Latin). The service is finished with the traditional polish Lenten office - Gorzkie Zale – Lamentations.

The Paschal candle production a.D. 1947



“In Krakow candles’ factory before Eastern the Paschal candles are still made in the traditional way. The modern, automated production is despised. As for centuries the simple candle-wheel is used to produce the Paschal candles.”

Guys, the Paschal candle must be made of white wax, not of plastic!

Palm Sunday in Jerusalem a.D. 1947

Click here

4/18/11

Holy Week tradition - lines to confessionals

A wanted good during the Holy Week in Poland – a confessional without waiting line.

Confessions in Krakow with at least 2-5 priest at a time:
Dominicans –  confessions daily from 8am to 8pm 1.5-3 hours waiting
Franciscans –  confessions daily from 6am to 7.30pm 1-2 hours waiting
Jesuits –  confessions daily from 6am to 7.30pm – 1-3 hours waiting
Carmelites –  confessions daily from 6am to 8pm – 1-2 hours waiting
Our Lady Parish –  confessions daily from 6am to 7pm – 1-1.5 hours waiting
Etc.

The Church in pray

Sons of saint Dominic during Vespers in the Holy Trinity convent in Krakow. Of course done in Latin. 

4/17/11

Palms for Palm Sunday


The bigger the better ;-)

Palm Sunday Procession in Krakow



Back to Krakow on Palm Sunday


Welcome to catholic Krakow, Poland

The Largest: Melk Abbey

When you driver along Austria by the West Highway (West Autobahn) you will see one of the most splendid catholic views -the World’s Largest benediction monastery in Melk. Only the south wing is 240 meters long!!
The main entrance


The main courtyard with the church’s dome


 The main altar

and...

4/16/11

Pater Sancte AD MULTOS ANNOS

The last view of Bavaria



Bavaria - the land of the Church, beer and BMW


BMW = Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works)

The Benedictine Abbey in the center of Munich

  
St. Boniface's Abbey was founded by King Ludwig I of Bavaria in the XIX century



Unfortunately the interior was 'updated' by the current inhabitants


Interior of St. Boniface ca. 1894. Source Wikipedia

Interior of St. Boniface 2011...