Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

A group of 31 students and chaperones from the Diocese of Lincoln traveled to Poland in June for a nine-day pilgrimage organized by Lolek, a nonprofit dedicated to deepening faith through journeys to places significant in Catholic history. The trip included visits to key sites such as Kraków, Wadowice, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Jasna Góra, and Morskie Oko.

Lolek was established in 2022 with the goal of helping people encounter Christ through pilgrimages. Since its founding, it has led more than 300 participants to Italy and Poland. Jacqueline Kane, president and executive director of Lolek and a member of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Wahoo, described the organization's mission: “Lolek is the continuation of the work of John Paul II—calling all people, especially young people, into a personal relationship with Jesus,” she said.

“Our mission is to provide opportunities to encounter Christ through pilgrimage. We design each itinerary to tell a story, and as pilgrims walk with us, our hope is that they not only step into the story of that place, but also discover the story Jesus is writing in their own lives.”

During their time in Poland, the group visited Kalwaria Zebrzydowska—a historic site known for its network of chapels built by a Polish nobleman to mirror a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The location holds personal significance for many Poles; it was where Karol Wojtyła’s father brought him after his mother died.

For Lydia Koperski, who graduated from Pius X High School in Lincoln this year, visiting Kalwaria Zebrzydowska had special meaning. “Kalwaria left the biggest impression,” she said. “It’s hard to explain, but being in that place allowed me to meet Mary as my mother, and it seemed like Jesus introduced me to her as well. I was given the opportunity to sing the Ave Maria during Mass in a beautiful chapel depicting the Crucifixion, and I felt in a real way God’s personal pursuit of me. It felt authentic, with no flashy lights or signs, just me and Him.”

The pilgrims also attended Mass at St. Leonard’s Crypt within Wawel Cathedral—the same place where St. John Paul II celebrated his first Mass after becoming a priest.

“Being there made his life feel so real and relatable,” said Collin Kuzelka, a seminarian for the Diocese of Lincoln and graduate of St. Cecilia High School in Hastings. “I have no memory of Pope St. John Paul II when he was alive, but these places made him real to me. Seeing the places that meant so much to him and formed him into a great saint showed that it was possible for me as well. It is so easy for me to look at my life compared to someone like JPII and see no way to become anything like him. But this trip showed me that in many ways his life was not as different from mine as I had thought.”

At Wadowice—the birthplace of John Paul II—the group toured his childhood home and attended Mass at his parish church.

“When we were sitting in Mass at Wadowice, I had this sudden realization: I was walking, praying, and attending Mass in the very church where the great John Paul II grew up, where he spent much of his early life, and where he received many of the sacraments. This realization brought tears to my eyes,” recalled Ben Nagle, a junior at Bishop Neumann High School.

Jacqueline Kane also shared her experience encountering Christ through John Paul II at World Youth Day 2002 while visiting a Carmelite monastery connected with his spirituality—a testimony which resonated with St. Cecilia junior Nyla Mangers.

“When Jacqueline was talking about St. John Paul II and how he had changed her mindset about the faith and helped her come back to loving Christ,” Mangers said,“it helped me remember that everyone suffers in their own way,but God never abandons them.”

Father Cyrus Rowan from St.Cecilia High School served as one of this year's priest chaplains.He emphasized how meaningful such experiences can be for students:“Pilgrimage is important because it allows us to step away from the busyness of the world and learn something about ourselves.On pilgrimage,we encounter the lives of saintsand draw strengthand inspirationfrom their exampleandthe trials they endured.For students,this encountercan be especially powerful—offeringa strong anchorin faithas they go outinto the worldas adults.”

Chaperone Sarah Miller observed friendships forming among students during their travels.“Watching my own children interact with pilgrims from other schools was so inspiring!” she said.“In Poland,theygot tomeet thestudents whowantedtogo onapilgrimagetolearnabouttheirfaithandliveit…andytheyhadfun!”

Many participants found Poland itself unexpectedly impactful on both spiritual growthandpersonal development.“IwasnotanticipatingfallinginlovewiththiscountryasmuchasIhave,”Koperski said.“Polandhasmyheart,andIcannottwaittoseewhattheLorddoeswithallthetransformationsthattookplaceinsidemeandmyfellowpilgrimsduringthisjourney.”

Lolek plans further pilgrimagesforstudentsandadultsinthecomingyearstoItalyandPoland.Moreinformationisavailableat www.lolekpilgrimage.org.