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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis was scheduled on Thursday to visit Jasna Góra Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland, to celebrate a Mass commemorating the 1050th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland.

The Monastery is the location of the famous icon, the Black Madonna of Czestochowa. There is a legend the image was made by St. Luke, and the icon has become a symbol of Poland, and revered especially by the Polish diaspora around the world.

The Monastery is home to the Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit, or the Pauline Fathers.

“The icon, the blessed Madonna, is venerated not only by the Polish people, but the faithful from all the world, which was many times highlighted by John Paul II, it is still a recognizable sign of the Polish people living in many places around the world,” explained the Father General of the Order, Fr. Arnold Chrapkowski, OSPPE.

Listen to the interview by Lydia O’Kane with Fr. Arnold Chrapkowski, OSPPE:

This international outreach has had an effect on the Order, as the Black Madonna has inspired vocations around the world.

“For me, the Black Madonna came also in South Africa, brought by the Trappists,” – said Fr. David Dlamini, OSPPE – “It was 1885, but it was not so popular – the picture of Our Lady – until the Pauline Fathers came in 1991…So for us, she is our mother.”

Listen to the interview by Lydia O’Kane with Fr. David Dlamini, OSPPE:

Pauline Brother Jeremy Santoso, who is preparing for the priesthood, comes from Australia.

“I remember the first time being here in Poland when I was a postulant entering into the novitiate, and my impression of Jasna Góra was remarkable because of how big the monastery is, and the amount of people walking around…I was impressed with their devotion and faith,” Br. Jeremy told Vatican Radio.

Listen to the interview by Lydia O’Kane with Br. Jeremy Santoso, OSPPE:

“It was so beautiful to witness such a thing, it slowly motivated, inspired me, to love the country all the more,” he said.

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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis was scheduled on Thursday to visit Jasna Góra Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland, to celebrate a Mass commemorating the 1050th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland. Vatican Radio’s Lydia O’Kane is in Poland, and sent us this report:

Listen:

About an hour and a half outside Krakow is the monastery of Jasna Gora the most famous Marian shrine in Poland. Thousands of pilgrims come here every year to venerate the Black Madonna of Czestochowa which was reputedly painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. Many miracles have been attributed to this revered icon which has been visited in more recent times by both Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

This large monastery in the baroque style overlooks the city of Czestochowa and is home to the Pauline Friars who have been here since 1382. It even boosts its own radio station. During this World Youth Day celebration thousands of young people have being making a pilgrimage here in order to pray to Our Lady. The monks, denoted by their white robes, mingle with the steady stream of people that arrive in the courtyard which is swathed in flags for this youth festival.

The Black Madonna is a sight to behold, crowned in gold she gestures to the infant Jesus in her arms. From morning to night people come to the Chapel, many praying at length on their knees. On a visit here in 1997 St John Paul II proclaimed Jasna Gora a national shrine. He also bestowed the blood stained sash he was wearing when an attempt on his life was made in 1982, which is now clearly visible behind glass next to the icon itself.

Pope Francis is coming to this shrine to celebrate Mass on the 1050th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland. But it is also his chance to make his own pilgrimage to Mary a much loved mother.

With Pope Francis in Poland, I’m Lydia O’Kane

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(Vatican Radio) In this week's edition of There's More in the Sunday Gospel Than Meets the Eye, Jill Bevilacqua and Seàn-Patrick Lovett bring us readings and reflections for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Listen:

GOSPEL        LK 12:13 - 21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” 
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” 
Then he said to the crowd,
“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Then he told them a parable. 
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. 
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. 
There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years,
rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves
but are not rich in what matters to God.”

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Krakow, Poland, Jul 28, 2016 / 12:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Among the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at World Youth Day are two brothers, recently reunited.

“I’m from Syria,” Yousef Astfan, 34, told CNA. “It’s been divided.”

Yousef first attended World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011. Now he’s in Krakow with his brother, 25-year-old Al Astfan, a first-time attendee who loves the event.

“It’s great. It’s such a great opportunity to meet people from all the world, in the name of Jesus,” Al said.

Yousef explained his own thoughts about the massive Catholic youth gathering.

“It gives you a very nice push for your faith, to be here to see all these Christians. Because everybody says that Europe is no more Christian,” he said.

“When I come here? No, I don’t see this. I feel proud that all these Christians are here. Especially when we fight for our Christianity in Syria. Being a Christian in Syria is a curse. You can get killed for this.”

The Syrian civil war has raged since March 2011. More than 270,000 people have been killed, while over 12 million are displaced or have become refugees. Some of the combatants have conducted atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities.

The Astfan brothers’ parents and sister, her family, and Yousef’s wife and family are still in Syria.

“They are living in Aleppo. It’s pretty dangerous there. But they don’t want to leave their country,” Yousef said.

Al Astfan has lived in Germany for about 18 months as a refugee. He is studying for his master’s degree in mechanical engineering.

“I want to continue my study,” he told CNA.

As for Yousef, he now lives and works in Dubai. The two had only just reunited on Tuesday.

“I met him literally four hours ago,” Yousef said. “This is the first time I met him in three years. Since he left Syria, I didn’t see him.”

“I just can’t believe that he’s here with me, finally,” he added. “My family are very happy because we finally met. They wish to be here as well.”

His brother Al was also reflective about the reunion.

“It’s great, we remember old days,” he said.

Yousef thought Christians who live free from violent persecution should appreciate what they have.

“They don’t appreciate the bliss they are living in,” he said. “I can just tell the people and raise my voice: you are living in a bliss, so keep it, do what you need to do.”

He also had a message for CNA readers: “Just pray for Syria. They cannot do anything more.”

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