By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
News that Krakow, Poland, will be the site of the 2016 World Youth Day gathering generated an air of excitement around the Trenton Diocese, especially among folks hailing from Polish communities.
In the days since the announcement of the location was made by Pope Francis July 28, Father Jacek Labinski, pastor of St. Hedwig Parish, Trenton, and Father Marcin Kania, parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, reflected on what it will mean to have Krakow host the gathering that brings together hundreds of thousands of young faith-filled Catholics throughout the world together with the Holy Father.
“It will be very nice,” said Father Labinski. “I know the people of Krakow will receive our Holy Father and all of the young people with open arms and open hearts and make them feel at home.”
Father Labinski said he plans on encouraging the young parishioners of St. Hedwig to attend the pilgrimage and is already thinking about different fundraising efforts to help offset their travel expenses.
The priests pointed out that World Youth Day was started in 1986 by then Pope John Paul II and Krakow is where he had served as archbishop 15 years before his election to the papacy in 1978.
It’s also significant, both priests pointed out, that World Youth Day 2016 will also occur during the celebration of the 1050th anniversary of the “Baptism of Poland” and the commemoration of the beginning of Christianity in that nation.
“It’s very appropriate timing to have World Youth Day in Krakow and to have Pope Francis present during that very special anniversary year,” Father Kania said. He admitted to thinking about traveling to Krakow for the World Youth Day celebration and also taking time to visit with some family and friends.
