Catholic monks at Poland's national Jasna Gora sanctuary have cautioned visitors to beware of "crooks and swindlers" during the upcoming summer pilgrimage season."It's a very sad phenomenon - but unfortunately not unique in the world," said Fr Sebastian Matecki, sub-prior of the hilltop monastery.
"We can see certain individuals want to make money dishonestly out of sacred places like this. Such people aren't working for the good of our cloister, and we feel obliged to draw attention to this."
The Pauline order priest issued the warning as Catholic parishes and movements around Poland prepared for annual mass pilgrimages to Jasna Gora, whose revered Black Madonna icon was painted, according to legend, by St Luke on a plank from Christ's family home at Nazareth.
He said his order had put posters at the gates of the six centuries-old shrine, urging Catholics not to buy fake entrance tickets or religious objects allegedly being sold for the benefit of the shrine in local car parks.
"These traders have nothing to do with Jasna Gora," Fr Maecki told the Catholic information agency, KAI.
"This is sacred place, marked off and consecrated in a special way by the presence of Christ and Mary and the prayers of the faithful. Holiness really belongs here, and should be expressed in dignified conduct."
At least a third of Poland's 10,000 Catholic parishes organise summer pilgrimages to Jasna Gora, which converge for the August 15 Assumption Day and August 26 Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
More than 100,000 Catholics traditionally arrive on foot, with the longest route, 480 miles, stretching from Szczecin in the northeast.
In his KAI statement, Fr Matecki said notices were also displayed reminding pilgrims to "dress and behave appropriately", as well as switching off mobile telephones on entering the shrine, which has been run by Pauline order monks since the 14th century.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce