Monday Goodbyes and Tuesday in Krakow

Monday afternoon we said goodbye to our generous host families in Siedlce, a few of whom are pictured here. We then traveled to Krakow, where we said goodbye to one of our pilgrims, Daniel. After traveling for nine hours by train, we finally arrived in Wadowice, the former of hometown of Pope John Paul II, where we are staying in a school with other pilgrims from the U.S. and Canada.

For our first day in Krakow, we went to the Sanctuary of Pope John Paul II. Inside, the church was decorated with beautiful mosaics depicting biblical scenes. Also on display was the cassock that Pope John Paul II wore on the day in 1981 when he was shot in Vatican City.

Next we went to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, commemorating St. Sister Faustina of Poland. In front of the chapel of the convent of Divine Mercy is the image of Jesus Christ that was painted after St. Faustina witnessed a vision of Jesus himself in 1931.

Next we headed into the city, where we had a late lunch and then walked to see the Wawel Castle in Krakow and the main square of the old city, pictured here.