At that time, we were celebrating God’s Fatherhood. Small bags of soil, rings and bread

became symbols of this event which commenced with the  traditional procession of St. Adalbert ‘s relics. This was followed by Genesis- a celebration of the mystery of  God’s creation of heaven, earth and the crowning glory – man himself. It was at this moment, that Teresa and Olek, who had just been joined together in the sacrament of marriage, received a blessing from the Primate of Poland.

 

Soil samples from many different parts of Poland and indeed the world were then carried in procession. Father Zdzislaw Peszkowski carried soil from Katyn, the place of Soviet atrocities and Polish martyrdom, and placed it at the foot of the hill where the Gate is situated. Archbishop Juliusz Paetz lead the celebrations honouring ‘the name of the Father’ while Bishop Marek Jedraszewski headed a torch-lit procession. When the  burning bush was lit, the bishop, barefoot, knelt in front of it and all the participants followed suit saying ’Holy God, Holy Mighty One,’ The Provincial of the Dominicans, Father Maciej Zieba, distributed lit torches to all the monks present so that through this symbolic light, they could carry the message of God’s creation to all the various places   they were sent to work.  Cardinal Jozef Glemp lead the celebrations to the Merciful Father. At this moment, all 70,000 participants were given the Lednica ring for the first time. We were then all staring at a huge reproduction of Rembrandt’s painting’ The Return of the Prodigal Son’ in which the face of  the merciful father had been replaced by John Paul II’s. The last celebration dedicated to God the Father, who gives us life and strengthens us, was symbolised by bread. Then we listened to the Pope’s recorded words:

 

“‘ Lift up your heads and see the purpose of your journey. If you walk with Christ, if the Holy Spirit guides you, then your only purpose must be to reach your Father’s house , who is in heaven. (…) Lift up your heads. Do not be afraid to look into eternity. God, who is love, is waiting there for you. It is worth living for that love. Have the courage to live for love. Have courage!”

 

Midnight Mass was celebrated after which we all walked through the Gate of the Third Millennium. Some of the participants were doing this for the third time.