The Festival Holy Mass

Thanksgiving and Unity. In the way it used to be done in the olden days, a Podhale trembita begins the Eucharist, or thanksgiving, with a deep, lilting sound. The sound of the trembita gives leadership up to the violin; the full musical band joins in and children’s singing brings the procession to the foot of the altar.

It is not the first time that Rev. Jerzy Jurkiewicz, the parish priest, welcomes all the ensembles participating in the FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF MOUNTAINS, mentioning their names and the countries they have come from. Greetings are also due to Director Andrzej Zarych, the Artistic Committee, and Barbara Bartuś, MP. A greeting is extended to Rev. Stanisław Kowalik, the chaplain of the Festival, and all those gathered.

Rev. Kowalik, the chief celebrant, encourages the faithful to pray specifically for those who took part in the FESTIVAL, but have passed away, and begins the celebration of the Eucharist.

A remarkable moment during the Festival’s Sunday mass was the reading of a Gospel passage. Father Kazimierz Króżel did this not only with great feeling, commitment and faith, but also in two languages: Polish and Swahili.

“Hey, it is the faith of our fathers,
Hey, that brought us here,
Hey, the faith in God the Father,
Hey, the Creator of all.”

Can you imagine a Festival mass homily by Rev. Kowalik without singing? The singing is always part of the teaching! Furthermore, Father Stanisław explained that our origins do not reach back to yesterday only, but we are in the process of creating a great heritage of our fathers. We come like Mary to listen intently to the Word of God. The celebrant expressed his gratitude that we can raise spirits. We follow Mary in saying: A guest in the house is God in the house. So thanks are due to those who prepare the unseen, without which the Festival could not take place. Father Stanisław cites a Jewish Midrash: God wanted to share with people the key to happiness. But the Archangel who was supposed to hand over the key somehow messed it up. The key was snatched by the devil, who wanted to hide it. He did not know where. Eventually, he hid it in the human heart. Now everyone has it. Happiness is: peace, joy, love, but also the FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF MOUNTAINS. Happiness begins with children. Because every child is a ray of goodness. His smile reminds adults of our life, and its simplicity. Happiness is not only about listening intently, but also about the work that the children put into the preparations. Also, the acknowledgement of the leaders offering their own happiness, their love of their little motherlands. May this Festival open up the power, and may the Holy Spirit descend on the participants.

“Hey, glory to the Holy Trinity,
Hey, let there be glory,
Hey, may the faith of the fathers,
Hey, remain in the children.”
In a bridge-like manner, singing concludes Father Kowalik’s homily.

The unifying dimension of the Holy Mass can always be heard during the prayer of the faithful, which is read in all the languages used by the participants of a given edition of the FESTIVAL, and during the procession with the gifts, in which representatives of all the ensembles take part. In this special year, the participants came to be united once again, when they presented Father Stanisław Kowalik with white roses, which descended into his hands with a heavy jubilee bouquet. Our chaplain has been a priest for thirty years!