On February 22nd 2015 some 20 pilgrims led by Fr. Martin headed to Poland to collect the 1st class relic of St Faustina. While there, they went on a week-long pilgrimage that included the birthplace of St John Paul II and also the concentration camp in Auschwitz among other Holy monuments and shrines.
Below are some of the reflections and testimonies from the group.
It was an AWESOME experience to stand on holy ground where the saints physically lived and gave their lives completely for the glory of God. I felt my unworthiness and yet I felt God’s love so tremendous and fascinating that I teared when I first held both the relics of Sts. Faustina & JPII (which I received earlier) in my palms. My thoughts were on the verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Phil 4:13) that despite my unworthiness and like the saints I too pledge to live In His Presence always.
written by Fr. Martin
“I could feel the special atmosphere at the sanctuary and other Holy sites we visited. Polish people have great reverence and faith in the Catholic tradition. The tradition of regular prayer and thanksgiving and celebration of Masses was amazing.
How I wish Malaysian Catholics could overcome their lethargy and at least attend daily Masses. I guess I have to pray harder that this attitude will become part of our DNA as Catholics.
written by Rodney Gomez
We all know how much St John Paul II adores the young. Here we are in his Sanctuary and in the chapel dedicated to his name and relic, the Polish youths rendered him a nice Polish song. Although I could not understand the language but it was one of the most joy I felt there. A celebration of sort to a Saint and I was there with his spirit.
written by Matthew Chua
It was a life changing experience being able to stand where the saints once stood.”
written by Matthew Stephen
After all the excitement of the handing over of the relic had died down, I knelt to pray in front of the image of DM and St John Paul 2. At each spot, I was so overwhelmed and filled with the spirit that tears flowed freely down my face. I thank God for the privilege of being able to go on this pilgrimage. My daughter has noticed a change in my demeanour- calmer and more at peace.
written by Anna Khor
I was excited to visit Poland and the place where the Divine Mercy Devotion all began but I was also hoping for God to give me some Big clear signs on how and where He wanted me to serve Him.
I never expected He would speak to me so clearly through the lives of His saints. Learning how St Faustina and St John Paul II experienced so many trials in their lives yet served so joyfully truly inspired me. ..I feel so blessed.
written by Sharon Chandra
A journey of spiritual nourishment for me whereby I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding and reaching out to me giving me serenity in my life. Indeed felt very blessed.
written by Josephine Boon
The trip to Poland was a very spiritual experience for me. I saw and experienced the presence of St Faustina in every Nun that we interacted with in Poland, especially Sr Maria Vianna and Sr Ignatia.
Amy and I even experienced the outpouring of love from a total stranger who appeared out of the blue and guided us to not waste our money. He advised us not to but items from some youth. He then led us up the hill to the gift shop and disappeared in the opposite direction.
Visiting the significant locations of the Polish saints was very heart- warming and spiritually engaging.
I had regarded St John Paul II as a saint even when he was still alive so being in his childhood home and neighbourhood is beyond words. To know that a saint played football with his father the way I played football with my brother in the living room at about the same age brought tears to my eyes. Well, I shed quite a lot of tears in Poland.
It was a blessed trip and I am thankful to God for making it possibly for my family and I to join this journey of faith. The words, “Jesus, I trust in You” has become even more meaningful to me. God has been ever faithful to me and this sinner needs to have faith that He will continue to remain faithful to me.
I hope and pray, no, I have faith that I will be able to exude this confidence of God’s mercy unto others.
Jesus, I trust in You!
written by Mark Stephen
Visiting Auschwitz was a profound experience for me. I had heard so much about the horrifying stories from WW2 German occupation and was not too keen to see any of its remains.
When I entered into the barracks, I sensed very strong feelings of PAIN. Pain that gripped my heart and immediately brought tears to my eyes. As if the corridor walls, door handles and the dark passage way could talk – they were all emitted a strong sense of PAIN. Pictures of condemned Jews, the chambers of hairs, suitcases and spectacle – they all seemed to emit PAIN. PAIN caused by deception, fear, distress and most of all ABANDONMENT.
Then, I heard a silent cry – “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani” (My God, My God, Why have you abandoned me?) Jesus uttered these words before he breath his last 2,000 years ago. The same cries were felt coming from the walls and corridors of the barracks. I have diligently partaken in the “Passion of Christ” all these year in Church but never have I felt how painful Christ’s Passion was until I stood inside Auschwitz barracks. I could feel Christ Passion through the sufferings of the Jews and it was so REAL.
I submit every pain I felt through the rosary I carried with me that day. The prayer that came to my mind was “MOTHER OF GOD, pray for these souls of the innocent. JESUS Lord, pour forth your divine mercies on to them and grant them eternal rest”. Only after praying the rosary 2 ½ times, the PAIN stopped.
On that day, I understood what means “CHRIST DIVINE MERCY”. Why it came about after HIS terrible passion and HIS resurrection. It was by dying on the cross, going through ultimate PAIN any human can subject to another, JESUS chooses to LOVE, love to the deepest level that only GOD can do. Divine LOVE (from GOD coming through him) pours out unfathomable mercy to those who seek and trust in him … and they who seek and trust him will find themselves in HIS care. JESUS CHRIST is truly Son of GOD … HIS first miracle was to turn WATER into WINE … HIS ultimate miracle was to turn PAIN into LOVE on the cross and to RESURRECT from death as a sign of a LIVING and LIFE-GIVING LOVE. We should TRUST IN HIM and HIS unfathomable mercy can save even the darkest soul.
written by Gidget Chua
I only started to know more about John Paul II and Saint Faustina while preparing myself for the Poland pilgrimage. When I prayed at the 24hr chapel at the sanctuary I felt so touched by the Lord and walked out to be alone, which lead me to the pictures and wordings before the Stations of the Cross. Reading and reflecting on the wordings is beyond description. When I walked up to kiss the relic I was filled was tears of joy, lots of love in my heart and I could feel myself trembling. Now Divine Mercy, Saints Faustina and John Paul the second and the words Jesus I trust in you and the hymn trust and obey remains within me.
written by Christine Gomez
It was an amazing experience I had in Poland…inspired by the vision of angels spinning in the extremely bright light at the church where St. John Paul II was baptized and even received a few messages from our holy one. Thanks Christine J & Fr. Martin for all the efforts in organizing such a wonderful trip with spiritual guidance. Feel very blessed after I was touched by Holy Spirit and returned to Lord barely 4 years ago …shamefully to say that I was a lapsed catholic before.
written by Helen Loo
All I can say is that I’m truly blessed to be able to journey together on this trip to Poland with the rest of the pilgrims. Apart from the fun I had with my spiritual family, it was a getting-to-know-you journey, getting to know more about you… St Faustina and St John Paul II.
The preparation for this trip has brought me to come to know more of Jesus’ love and mercy through reading about the lives of these saints, St Faustina and St JPII. I’ve come to learn about how the lives of ordinary people had been transformed to extraordinary ones through the will and divine plan of our Lord. Reading about them and being inspired is one thing. Being there at their homes and where they used to dwell was another… it was an awesome feeling!
The words ‘Jesus I trust in You’ now have more profound meaning to me. Whatever it is, I now know that I walk a little closer with Jesus and in my darkest moments I can depend on His Divine Mercy to lift me up.
Thank you my Lord for this beautiful experience.
written by Jenifer Yap
Pilgrims with Fr. Martin and Sister Ignacia after receiving the relic of St Faustina.