The group is walking in the footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II, visiting Marian apparition sites and more
By William Van de Planque | On Mission
ALLOUEZ, WI — Fifty-one pilgrims left this past Monday, October 13, 2025, for the 2025 diocesan pilgrimage, sponsored by On Mission, Poland and Lithuania: Lands of Mercy, Lands of Saints, Lands of Mary.
Bishop David Ricken gave the pilgrims a blessing as they departed from the Diocese of Green Bay offices.
Some highlights of their trip include:
- A visit to the Shrine of Divine Mercy, St. Faustina’s convent chapel and her tomb on the second day.
- A visit to Wawel Cathedral, where Karol Wojtyła was ordained as cardinal archbishop of Krakow, and a celebration of Mass at St. Leonard’s Crypt, where Pope St. John Paul II celebrated his first Mass.
- Celebration of Mass at Jasna Góra, home of the Black Madonna, the precious icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, on the sixth day.
- On the 10th day, a visit to the town of Šiluva, Lithuania, to learn about a Marian apparition that occurred there in 1608. Our Lady of Šiluva first appeared here, weeping before Protestant children!
- A visit to the Church of the Holy Spirit, where pilgrims will pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy before the original painting of Jesus of the Divine Mercy.
Read the full On Mission article at onmiss.io/polandlithuaniapilgrimage.
“Please pray for us, that we might have a faithful, safe and productive, holy pilgrimage,” said Fr. John Girotti, vicar general for the Diocese of Green Bay and spiritual director for the pilgrimage.
Fr. Girotti also asked the faithful of the diocese to submit prayer intentions for the group of pilgrims to pray with throughout their time abroad.
Submit your intentions in the comments and watch the full video at youtube.com/shorts/IdVk8IwuOZs.