The event, organized for the seventh time by the Catholic online Radio Droga, began with Holy Mass at the Polish National Shrine on Kahlenberg. “This devotion requires effort and dedication,” said Fr. Maciej Cepielik CM, the spiritual director of Radio Droga, during his homily. “Each of our Ways of the Cross is a response to the love and sacrifice of Jesus.”

After the Mass, the pilgrims set out on a 12-kilometer night pilgrimage comprising 14 Stations of the Cross. The route led through Leopoldsberg Hill, Kahlenbergerdorf, and Nussdorf and ended at the Papal Cross in the Danube Park. Pilgrims had the opportunity to go to confession and take time for personal reflection.

“I brought all my worries and burdens with me,” shared Ewa. “During this walk, I felt I wasn’t alone.”

The pilgrims offered their journey for various intentions. “We prayed especially for peace in the world, for the health of the Holy Father, for Poland – our homeland – and for Austria, the country we live in. We also entrusted to God the everyday intentions of our radio listeners,” said Stanisław Salamon, editor-in-chief of Radio Droga.

This year’s route commemorated the 20th anniversary of the death of St John Paul II and connected two places associated with his visit to Vienna: St Joseph’s Church on Kahlenberg and the Papal Cross. The shrine features a plaque commemorating his visit on 13 September 1983 and a chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa with a revered copy of the Black Madonna Icon, blessed by the Polish Pope.

The Papal Cross, erected for the Mass celebrated by John Paul II during the Katholikentag on 11 September 1983, stands 40 meters tall and weighs 56 tons. Despite attempts to remove it, the cross still stands. It was restored in 2012 and re-consecrated by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. Today, it remains a place of prayer and monthly devotions organized by the association Papstkreuz im Donaupark.

The Night Way of the Cross concluded with a prayer at the Papal Cross. “It was a beautiful and profound experience of Christ’s Passion that prepared us for Holy Week. I’m very grateful to Stanisław from Radio Droga for this initiative – for managing to bring people closer to one another and, above all, to God,” said Monika.