A pilgrimage to snow-covered Prosity in honor of Joseph Engling

The volunteers of the Franz Reinisch House, Schoenstatt, visit Poland

Casa de José Engling cercado por neve La casa de José Engling en la nieve The house where Joseph Engling was born, covered by show Josef Englings Geburtshaus im Schnee
Tumba dos pais de José Engling Tumba de los padres de José Engling Tomb of Joseph Engling’s parents Grab der Eltern von Josef Engling
Voluntários em frente ao Santuário Swider Voluntários frente del Santuário de Swider Volunteers in front of the Shrine in Swider Volontäre vor dem Heiligtum in Swider
Peregrinos em um café da manhã com Pe Piotr (Polônia) Peregrinos, desayuno com el Padre Piotr, Polonia Pilgrims having breakfast with Father Piotr, Poland Beim Frühstück mit Pater Piotr, Polen
Nas montanhas do Tatra, cercanias de Zacopane Em la Sierra Tatra, cerca de Zakopane At the Tatra Mountains near Zakopane In der Hohen Tatra bei Zakopane Fotos: Lot © 2006 Fotoalbum – Albúm de fotos – photoalbum

POLAND. Joao Paulo Lot. Whoever thinks that Carnival is just a feast is mistaken. Carnival is a time of joy and entertainment, but it does not imply that we forget the religious aspects. It was precisely the interest for something like that, that inspired three volunteers of the Franz Reinisch House (Daniel and Joao Paulo, of Brazil and Carlos from Mexico), accompanied by Father Franz Widmaier, to make a trip to Poland. The main objective was to learn a little more of the history of Schoenstatt. But, why did they go to Poland?

It is simple: Joseph Engling was born in the city of Prosity, located in the northern Poland. That region belonged to Germany before World War II and it was named Ermland, province of Eastern Prussia. The volunteers saw his paternal home, where he was born and raised. And close to this place, in a small cemetery, they visited the tombs of his parents.

It was a time of much enthusiasm and satisfaction for them. This was more than sufficient compensation for the endurance of a long trip. It is not easy to travel there, even with the means available today. The roads are not well marked. Undoubtedly, during the time that Joseph lived in Schoenstatt he made the long trip with even more difficulty.

But it seemed that Joseph Engling wanted them to see his house. The weather, which until that time was good- although with temperatures below zero, began to worsen considerably. It snowed constantly, but that was not enough to dampen their spirits. It just modified their travel plans a little.

The Schoenstatt Shrines in Poland

They went directly to Varsovia, Poland where they found two Schoenstatt Shrines. There they felt at home and stayed for some days to learn a little more about the capital of Poland.

They continued on their trip toward Zakopane, a city situated in the beautiful mountainous region of Tatra. They stayed in the house of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, where they were very well received, just as in Varsovia.

Everywhere they went, they could still see many traces of the influence of communist domination in the houses, the streets, in the economy…but they also witnessed how Polish people who are very devoted to the Blessed Mother overcame the many difficulties caused by the hand of man.

Since it was time for Carnival they could not forget the entertainment. That time was shared by meeting with Father Franz’s many former volunteers who lived in different areas of Poland. Carnival is not celebrated the same way as in their countries of origin (Brazil and Mexico), but they assure us that they did not miss the things to which they were accustomed.

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA / Christi Jentz, Milwaukee, USA