Idea

On December 31, 1726, Stanislaus Kostka was canonized. This took place in Rome, in St. Peter’s Basilica. This year marks the 300th anniversary of that event. The Diocese of Płock, where the saint was born, baptized, and grew up, is organizing a walking pilgrimage along the route that Stanislaus Kostka followed in his pursuit of admission to the Society of Jesus. This young man from Mazovia set out from Vienna, where he studied at a Jesuit college, ultimately reaching Rome, where he received permission from the Superior General of the Order to enter the novitiate. He spent about ten months in Rome and died on August 15, 1568. Around 6,000 people attended his funeral. Kostka showed that it is possible to courageously respond to God’s call, and that sometimes radical steps must be taken to discern its authenticity and receive acceptance from the Church. Walking the path he once followed, we wish to pray for the ability to listen to God’s voice and to discover His will.

Intention

During the pilgrimage, participants will pray for the intention that was close to Stanislaus Kostka’s heart as he journeyed across Europe. He desired to become a religious. We will pray that young people whom God calls to serve in the Church may have the courage to respond positively to this invitation, and for their parents, that they may be able to accept the desires and decisions of their children.

Participants

The participants of the pilgrimage will include representatives of all states of life in the Church: lay people (including seminarians), consecrated persons, possibly a deacon, as well as priests and bishops. We plan to keep the groups relatively small due to accommodation limitations. Pilgrims are responsible for reaching the route on their own and returning home independently. They must also provide their own transportation, meals, medical care, and all equipment necessary for the journey.

The Vocation Suitcase

The pilgrims will be accompanied by a so-called “vocation suitcase” — a wooden chest containing a painting inspired by Caravaggio’s The Calling of St. Matthew. It is a work by the French painter Bruno Desroche, who placed contemporary figures into this scene. At the table sit young men drinking wine and looking at their smartphones. Beside them stands Carlo Acutis, leaning toward the group and trying to explain something to them. In front of those seated, we see Jesus pointing with His finger at one of them. The young man, with a surprised expression, points to himself, as if asking, “Do you mean me?” Next to Jesus stands a priest, also pointing at the young man. This is what a vocation to serve in the Church looks like. Three fingers must meet: the finger of God, the finger of the one called, and the finger of the Church. Interpreting this scene more deeply, we can discover that in an authentic vocation three wills meet: the will of God, the will of the person being called, and the will of the Church, which confirms the authenticity of the vocation. The first such suitcase in the world, blessed by Pope Leo XVI, is currently traveling across France and inspiring prayer for vocations. We asked Bruno to include Saint Stanislaus Kostka in our version of the painting. The suitcase also contains relics of Saints Stanislaus and Carlo. The suitcase itself was crafted for us by Bruno’s friend, Nicolas Genetier. It can be opened out and, standing on its delicate legs, resembles an open computer or a painter’s palette.