On May 16, 2026, the 9th National Pilgrimage of Families of Lost Children was held in the Łagiewnica Shrine of Divine Mercy. The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. dr. pralate Franciszek Ślusarczyk, erstwhile Rector of the Sanctuary, and now the parish priest of the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Church.
During the homily, Fr Ślusarczyk recalled the figure of Pope John Paul II and the dramatic facts of his life: the death of his parent erstwhile he was only a fewer years old, the death of his brother and sister, and later besides of his father. – God's love made him as a priest, bishop and pope never a boy of lost hope, though he belonged to the household of the lost child. What is more, with gifts of surviving religion and trusting hope he has been enriching millions of people throughout the planet for years," said Fr Ślusarczyk.
"Dear ones, the cross of Christ is besides a origin of mercy and of all grace. It represents, as John Paul II wrote, the deepest inclination of Deity over man. The Cross is like touching the eternal love of the most painful wound of human existence on earth," said the Prelate. And he added, "There are many wounds in people's hearts. They are present in marriages, families, different communities. And people injured by the premature departure of their loved ones have a direct part in this mystery.
Fr Ślusarczyk stressed that the suffering of families of lost children should be experienced in union with the suffering and torment of Christ. – Then it becomes meaningful and valuable – he said.
Finally, the priest addressed the families of the lost children:
May He who gathered us together in this tower fill your hearts God's love, which is the only effective cure for all pain of loneliness and all wounds of the human heart.
During the procession with gifts, pilgrims laid on the altar cards with the names of the lost children. Their names will besides be recorded in the Book of Lost Children, which is conducted at the lager sanctuary.
Fr Janusz Kościelniak, diocesan Pastor of Families of Lost Children, Fr Paweł Gałuszek, manager of the Department of the Ministry of Families of the Archdiocese of Krakow, and priests came together with pilgrims from all over Poland.
After the Holy Mass, and during the service, the parents lit candles from the Passover—the symbol of the Risen Christ—and jointly refused the solemn act of entrusting the dead children to God's Mercy.
The pilgrimage was organized by the Pastoral Service of Families of Lost Children, Department of the Ministry of the Families of the Archdiocese of Krakow and the Polish Association of Defenders of Human Life.
