At the end of the Jubilee of Mercy, November 19th, the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, with the participation of the Polish Episcopal Conference, the highest Polish state authorities and a multitude of faithful from all the dioceses in the country will celebrate a historical act of Acceptance of Christ as King and Lord. The following events are planned:
10 am – Prayer
11 am – Conference by Bp. Roman Pindel, pastor of the Diocese of Bielsko-Żywiec
12 pm – Holy Mass celebrated by Stanisław Cardinal Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow. The homily will be delivered by Bp. Andrzej Czaja of Opole. After the Eucharist, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and proclamation of the Jubilee Act of Acceptance of Jesus Christ as King and Lord will be performed by Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, President of the Conference of the Polish Episcopate.
Due to the limited capacity of the Basilica, entrance will be possible only for individuals with access cards available in curias of the individual dioceses (for each diocese, there are 34 access cards). On the square around the basilica, screens will be placed to enable active participation to all those who wish to attend this momentous occasion.
The next day, the Solemnity of Christ the King, the Act will be repeated in all the cathedrals and churches of the Catholic Church in Poland.
The primary purpose of the Act, writes Bp. Andrzej Czaja, president of the Group for Intronization Movements (KEP), is faithful recognition of Jesus, surrendering and entrusting our personal, family and national lives to Him in all dimensions, and living according to God’s law. As such, it should therefore also be an act of justice, in the sense of devoting what is due to God, and at the same time an act of obedience to God in response to His Love.
This historic act, according to the recommendations of the Polish Episcopal Conference, will be preceded by a special novena, celebrated from 10th to 18th November in each parish and rectoral church in Poland.
