The Grand Master of the Order at the 8th Jerusalem Days in Miechów, Poland
The reproduction of the Aedicule of the Holy Sepulchre in Poland, which dates back to the 16th century, is the focal point of a major pilgrimage that takes place every two years.
Cardinal Fernando Filoni, in the presence of Father Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, was invited to preside over the Jerusalem Days in Miechów, held in the Polish city near Krakow, from September 13 to 15, 2024. Miechów is home to the famous Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, which houses a replica of the Aedicula of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem dating back to the early 16th century. For centuries, it has been a destination for faithful pilgrims eager to proclaim and praise the Risen Christ. Next to the Basilica is the monastery that served as the main seat of the Order of the Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem from 1163 to 1819. Since 2010, it has been the spiritual and historical center and chapter church of the Lieutenancy for Poland of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, established in Poland on December 8, 1995. The Jerusalem Days are celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This celebration is especially dear to the members of the Order and this year was presided over by Cardinal Filoni. At the beginning of his homily, he said, “For centuries, the Basilica of Miechów has been a sacred place that invites reflection on the mystery of our Redemption; it is a permanent meditation on the mystery of the Lord’s Death and Resurrection, and, liturgically speaking, even more so on the day when the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.”