Around 200 Poles—mostly living in Switzerland, but also from Germany and Poland—took part in the annual Polonia pilgrimage to the Great St. Bernard Pass on the Feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa. They prayed for their families, homeland, and personal intentions.
The pilgrimage, connected with the Feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa, drew both walkers and those who arrived by car. A chapel at the hospice, run by the Canons Regular, houses an image of the Black Madonna, which has made the Pass an important site of prayer and devotion. The hike itself takes about two and a half hours, leading to a remarkable place of worship and spiritual encounter.
The pilgrimage of the Polish community in Switzerland to the Great St. Bernard Pass has been held every year since 2008, on the last weekend of August. The Polish Catholic Mission in Switzerland organizes it in cooperation with the Pastoral Ministry for Polish Emigration.
A pilgrimage of life
This year’s pilgrimage was led by Bishop Robert Chrząszcz, the delegate of the Polish Bishops’ Conference for the Pastoral Care of Polish Emigration. Opening the event, he encouraged the pilgrims with these words: “May this time be one of inner renewal, a time of encounter with God.”
The bishop also emphasized the spiritual meaning of the effort required in pilgrimage: “The hardship of climbing symbolizes our life, which is always a struggle. Yet this very struggle draws us closer to God—higher up, where the view is clearer. We want to look at our lives and our achievements from this perspective, with the sense that we are all on a pilgrimage through life, journeying toward God.”
Strong presence of young people
Among the roughly 200 participants—those who hiked and those who came by car—many were young members of the Polish diaspora. “I’m really happy to be here, because this is a significant place for Poles due to the image of the Black Madonna,” said Krystian, a 19-year-old from Zurich, joining the pilgrimage for the second time. He noted that the event brings together Poles from across Switzerland.
For Father Kordian, who serves in Switzerland, the pilgrimage has a special meaning. “We walk together with the pilgrims, carrying our intentions,” he said, adding that the event combines both a spiritual and a physical dimension, since it is also a chance for a mountain hike.
Another participant, Ewa Lenart from Zurich, came with her husband and children. “Here we have the image of the Black Madonna, to whom we come once a year to ask for graces, to give thanks, and to seek support in our daily lives—blessings, and the gift of community. This is something beautiful that we feel and receive here, something we can then take back to our homes,” she explained.
Ten centuries of history with Polish connections
The history of this place stretches back to the 11th century. Around 1050, St. Bernard of Menthon founded a monastery of the Canons Regular here. For centuries, the monks have offered aid to pilgrims and travelers, while the famous St. Bernard dogs—named after the pass—assisted them in alpine rescue work.
The image of the Black Madonna that draws pilgrims each year also has a unique history. It was painted by Edmund Ernest-Kosmowski, a soldier of Piłsudski’s Legions. After World War II, the painting was brought to the Pass, where it remains today in a side chapel of the hospice church.
The pilgrimage program included Holy Mass, the recitation of the Litany of Loreto, and the singing of the Jasna Góra Appeal. Bishop Chrząszcz entrusted the Polish community in Switzerland to the protection of the Blessed Mother. A picnic followed, offering an opportunity for fellowship and rest.
The pilgrimage to the Great St. Bernard Pass is more than just a tradition; it is a deeply rooted cultural heritage. Above all, it is a living experience of faith, community, and spiritual renewal. For the Polish community in Switzerland—and for Poles arriving from abroad—it is a unique opportunity to pause from daily routines and view life, both literally and spiritually, from a higher perspective.
Family News Service
Photos: E. Lenart / DEP / Family News Service
