My dear friends and family! Greetings from Poland.

I am pleased to write about what is taking place at the shrine of the Holy Cross. Holy Cross shrine is under the care of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and is the place where us novices spend one year preparing ourselves before entering religious life. The novitiate is also a time for us to get know the Oblate constitutions and rules. In addition, it is also a special time where we get to immerse ourselves in the Oblate charism. At the novitiate we don’t just talk about the charism or philosophize about it. We get to live it out, and see if the Oblate congregation is the one God is calling us to.

Holy Cross shrine is situated on a mountain called “Łysa Góra.” In English it literally means the bald mountain. Łysa Góra is 595m above sea level and is surrounded by beautiful forestry and scenery. It also happens to be situated inside of Holy Cross National Park. Holy Cross shrine is not too far from Kielce. Holy Cross shrine is the oldest shrine in Poland, and is rich in history.

Since we have started Lent, every Friday at the shrine we have the Ways of the Cross which is shortly followed by Holy Mass. We start in the church  and then we make our way into the cloisters. During the Ways of the Cross we make our way to all the stations, and at the end we return to the church to receive a solemn blessing with the true relic of the Most Holy Cross. As novices we get the privilege to serve during this devotion.

Personally, it is a special experience that I take delight in. Sometimes, I am completely mind blown that I am in the presence of the true relic where Jesus Christ our Lord died for the sake of our sins. It is very easy to take this for granted. During this time of Lent we are beginning to receive more pilgrims. We had a dry period during most of January, and now we are starting to get more busy. Every year there is about 300,000 pilgrims who make their way to visit our shrine.

Not too long ago, we had a group of 500 pilgrims make a pilgrimage to our shrine with the intention of soberness. It was a beautiful view to see a church full of people, especially with such a noble intention. There was barely any space to walk down the nave while giving out communion. So far, this is all that has taken place at the beginning of the Lenten season. We are expecting many more pilgrimages and pilgrims as we get closer to Easter. As for us novices, we are keeping faithful to our daily duties, and looking forward to celebrating the Paschal Mystery! Please keep us in your prayers as we are making our way to the half way mark in the novitiate. I would like to mention that I am very grateful for all of your prayers and that I am praying for you all as well. I would also like to send my warmest greetings to the young adult group in Mississauga and Ottawa. I often think about our time in Portugal during World Youth Day. I pray for you all every day.

Praised be Jesus Christ, and Mary Immaculate!

- Dominik Ostrowski Novice OMI.

(Dominik Ostrowski/DJ/ photos: Fr Krzysztof Jamrozy OMI)