Pilgrimage Sites in Poland - Warsaw (Siekierki)

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History

The apparitions of Mary occurred between 3 May 1943 and 15 September 1949, and during this time the village of Siekierki did not have a church. Mary visited the young girl Wladyslawa Papis (1931-2016) on several occasions. She was also referred to by her other name, Fronczek/Frauczuk. During her encounters with Our Lady, Wladyslawa was tasked with conveying the message that a local devotion to Mary should be established.

On 3 May 1943, Poland's National Day, Maria Queen of Poland, in the midst of World War II, Wladyslawa returns home, prays, and sees Maria above a cherry tree. The apparition looks at the praying girl and remains silent. The child is praying for her uncle who is seriously ill. She asks Maria if She will take him to heaven if there is no cure. The apparition turns and disappears.

On 28 June 1943, Jesus appeared in the same place as Our Lady. He told Wladyslawa Papis that he was with her and that she should pray to his Mother, who would listen to her.

The last appearance is on 15 September 1949.

During the apparitions, Mary teaches the visionary Wladyslawa Papis to recite the Litany of Loreto and the rosary. Our Lady also teaches the girl a song. In addition, Mary also appears as a teacher to young people.

In the period 1945-1946, the first chapel is built on the site of the apparitions. The chapel is enlarged several times, but always proves to be too small for the growing number of visitors. Later, a new, larger chapel is built.

In 1980, Stefan Wyszyński (1901-1981), Cardinal (1953-1981), Archbishop of Warsaw-Gniezno (1948-1981), entrusted the chapel to the Order of the Piarists. This is an Order of Religious Schools (Latin: “Ordo piarum scholarum”) which aims to provide free primary education to poor children. This organisation was founded by the Spanish Catholic priest Joseph Calasanz/Joseph Calasanctius (1557-1648). A “Piarist” is therefore a father of a religious school for poor children.

Interior of the pilgrimage church in Siekierki (Warsaw)

On 22 October 1988, the church was consecrated by Zbigniew Józef Kraszewski (1922-2004), auxiliary bishop of Warsaw (1970-2004).

The sanctuary of the Holy Mother, the teacher of young people, was established on 31 August 1997 by Józef Glemp (1929-2013), Archbishop of Warsaw (1981-2006).

The current chapel was consecrated on 29 August 1999 by Józef Glemp.

The apparitions have been approved by the Catholic Church of Poland.

Pilgrimage site

The shrine is referred to here as “Sanktuarium Matki Bozej Nauczycielki Mlodziezy” and in Dutch this translates to “Our Lady, Teacher of Youth”.

The pilgrimage church is large and modern. An impressive statue of Mary stands on the chancel.

Façade of the pilgrimage chapel in Siekierki (Warsaw)

Besides the church, there is also a pilgrimage chapel, with memories of the time of the apparitions. In the pilgrimage chapel, there is a white image. It is a statue of the Immaculate Virgin.

The site of the apparitions is indicated by a sign.

The pilgrimage site is open daily.

Interior of the pilgrimage chapel in Siekierki (Warsaw). The presbytery is located on the spot where Mary also appeared.

ACCESSIBILITY

The pilgrimage site of Siekierki is located in the northeast of the capital, Warsaw.

The address of the pilgrimage site is:
Gwintowa Street 3, 00-704 Warsaw/Warschau.

More information can be found at www.sanktuarium.pijarzy.pl.

Experience

Location of the apparitions in Siekierki (Warsaw)

After finding a spot near the pilgrimage church, I take a walk around the Marian shrine.

The church has a high facade and a distinctive style with a lot of glazing. Near the church is a sign indicating the site of the apparitions.

Next, I'm going into the pilgrimage church. It's a building that was constructed after the apparitions, and as a result, it gives me a modern impression. A large statue of Mary adorns the altar, and at the back of the church, ex-votos can be seen.

Painting with a small chapel from the beginning of the pilgrimage site with Mary and Jesus, who appear here, in Siekierki (Warsaw). Artwork made by Maria Wollenberg-Kluza (*1945)

Statue of the Virgin Mary with the year 1943 on the back of the chapel in Sierkierki (Warsaw)

After visiting the church, I continue my walk around the grounds and see children playing at an adjacent primary school. Next to the school is a chapel of pilgrimage, and when I go inside, I see a memorial to the apparitions. A statue of the Immaculate Virgin captures my attention for a long time. It stands in the spot where Mary also appeared. This chapel is an intimate space and, for me, a very suitable place to pray and light candles. My thoughts turn to good acquaintances and friends who could use some help from Mary.

In the chapel I find a prayer card, the text of which is in Polish. At home I translated the text into Dutch and this reads:
“Good teacher,
Give me Your spirit, please listen to my prayers.
To have a heart as big as the sea to set me free, I ask You, Lord! To love Your students just as much, I ask You, Lord!
To convey clear and truthful knowledge, I ask of you, Lord!
For a kind word, that never lies, I ask you, Sir!
To elicit a smile that inspires confidence, I ask you, Lord!
To have angelic patience, a gift from above, I ask you, Lord!
Good teacher, my Master and God, may Your grace help me to work with children. Amen (from the Piarist Prayer Book).”

Behind this chapel, a statue of Mary is attached to the chapel wall behind glass. The year 1943 is included, referring to the start of the apparitions.

During the tour, I come to a garden and there is a beautiful statue of Mary. It is the depiction of Mary Immaculate Conception, and this stands next to the chapel of the apparitions.

Statue of the Immaculate Conception in the garden of the Siekierki pilgrimage site (Warsaw)

The pilgrimage site of Siekierki, to the northeast of the city of Warsaw, is a modern Marian place, where the atmosphere invites prayer, contemplation, and, above all, the feeling of being close to Our Lady.