Meanwhile, 40,000 people had gathered by the symbolic Gate of the Third Millennium. So much had been prepared for them. We took part in three sublime celebrations

 whose symbolism is deeply rooted in biblical teaching. These  were devoted to the symbolism of salt, smell and fire.

 

Archbishop Henry Muszynski lead a procession carrying the relics of St. Adalbert which walked through  the Lednica Fields .He then read a special telegram from John Paul II in which the Pope appealed  to all the participants in these words:

 

“Do not be afraid of the challenges the world sets before you. Receive the Holy   Spirit. He will teach you everything you need. Only through His strength can you

become true witnesses of salvation- salt of the earth and light of the world”.

 

As if in answer to the Pope’s words, two of the symbols he had spoken about suddenly appeared. The first was salt carried in big blocks by miners from Bochnia and Klodawa and small packets of salt which were distributed to all the participants. The next service devoted to the sense of smell started with a procession in which large bowls of incense and aromatic oils were carried in. The incense was then lit. In his sermon, the auxiliary bishop of Gniezno explained the biblical significance of aromatic oils and incense. Archbishop Muszynski then anointed the hands of the all the priests present with the blessed oils. The priests in turn passed on this anointing to all the participants with the words :”Spread  the fragrance of Christ”.

 

Shortly after this, a convoy of police cars arrived on the knoll by the symbolic Gate together with a specially armoured car carrying the precious relics of St. Jacek Odrowaza patron of the ‘second evangelisation’. Father Maciej Zieba, provincial of the Polish Dominicans was responsible for organising the transport of the relics from Krakow.

While this was taking place, a boat carrying the Primate of Poland , Cardinal Jozef Glemp and the rector of the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznan, Prof. Stefan Jurga set off from the island of Ostrowie Lednickie bringing with them a  lighted torch

taken from a fire ignited by the Pope, John Paul II. The flame was first brought to Poznan. and then onto Ostrow Lednicki by runners in a relay race. When the Primate and rector landed, a ‘candlelight  procession’ stretched out from the lake to the symbolic Gate. The light from this procession was then transmitted to all the participants who had had been given candles.

Midnight Mass was celebrated. Before all the participants walked through the symbolic Gate, there was a ceremony in which they all chose Christ as their one and only Lord and

Saviour.