Pilgrimage of the Dehonian parishes in Belarus
From 3 to 5 July, the Dehonian parishes in Belarus took part in a three-day walking pilgrimage from Postavy to Budslawi. People from the parishes run by Dehonian priests in Postavy, Šarkovščyna, Grodno, Lachowicze, and Warapajewo set off on the pilgrimage route. A total of 215 people set out on the route, covering 77 kilometres over the course of three days.
The Our Lady of Budslawa Shrine
The destination of the pilgrimage was the National Shrine of Our Lady of Budslawa, situated in the Minsk Region – a place of special devotion to the Mother of God, Patroness and Protectress of Belarus. The main altar of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary houses the venerated icon of Our Lady of Budslawa, which has been renowned for its miracles for over 400 years.
This year’s motto for pilgrims from the Dehonian parishes was: ‘To the Heart of Jesus through the Heart of Mary’. Some Dehonian priests guided the pilgrims: Eduard Sinkevich SCJ (Grodno parish), Henadz Launikovich SCJ (Sharkovshchyna parish), Aliaksei Ventskevich SCJ (Warapajewo parish), Vadim Prosianoj SCJ and Ivan Asauleac SCJ (Postawy parish), and Aliaksandr Fiadotau SCJ (Lachowicze parish).
Journey of Faith
Sister Dorota Belahryvaya CSC, of the Congregation of St Catherine, who serves at the Dehonian parish of Divine Mercy in Grodno, also took part in the pilgrimage. Speaking about the pilgrimage, she emphasises above all the witness of the young people: “Most of the pilgrims were young people. I was uplifted by their witness to the faith, which they professed through their loud songs of praise and the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They showed great perseverance despite the difficult weather conditions and those ‘beloved’ blisters.”
She also highlights the unique atmosphere of community that surrounded all the participants: “The young people learnt from the older pilgrims what it means to be part of the Dehonian family – how to rush to help, to be grateful, and simply to show great kindness to others.” As she points out, many of the older pilgrims undertook the journey as an expression of gratitude for the ministry of the Dehonian priests in their parishes. Every day, Fr. Eduard Sinkevich SCJ gave talks on the parable of the Prodigal Son, reminding everyone of God’s boundless mercy, as He constantly waits for us with open arms.
Belarusian Dehonian
Summing up the pilgrimage, Sister Dorota says: “These 77 kilometres are a journey with Mary towards holiness, a journey for young people who publicly profess their faith. And I think that is my greatest source of comfort – that the faith of the Belarusian Dehonian youth is growing, developing and flourishing.”
The Belarusian District is an autonomous administrative unit belonging to the Polish Province of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, established by a decree of the Superior General in June 2002. The Priests of the Sacred Heart began their ministry in Belarus as early as the 1990s. The fruits of this ministry include, amongst other things, vocations from among the local youth, including to the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
