INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

It is 20 years since the death of John Paul II, the pilgrim pope who guided the life of the Catholic Church in the difficult times of the turn of the century. Tomorrow (3 April) in Toruń, a solemn concert ‘Via Dolorosa Mystery of the Passion’. Today (2 April), flowers were laid at the Toruń monument to the patron saint of our voivodship by Vice-Marshal Zbigniew Ostrowski.

– The more important, truly lasting monument, the Holy Father created for himself, giving it shape with the testimony of his life, building it from the values he championed – the pursuit of truth, defence of human dignity, dialogue based on respect, love, justice. His pontificate, one of the longest in the history of the Church, is defended in every dimension,’ emphasised Marshall Piotr Całbecki. A letter from the host of the voivodship was read out during the Toruń ceremony by Deputy Marshall Zbigniew Ostrowski. The ceremony at the obelisk was also attended by Mayor Paweł Gulewski and representatives of the city’s and region’s civic circles.

Earlier, an open meeting was held at the Marshal’s Office, whose protagonist was Brother Marian Markiewicz CFCI, who worked for many years in the closest papal environment and witnessed the most important events of John Paul II’s pontificate. On behalf of Marshal Piotr Całbecki, the meeting was opened by Grzegorz Borek, plenipotentiary of the regional government. – 20 years ago, we were aware that we had lost someone really close, who deserved our memory like no one else,’ he said. The conversation with the monk was led by Professor Michał Białkowski of Nicolaus Copernicus University, who specialises, among other things, in research into the intellectual legacy of Karol Wojtyła. A similar event, with the participation of young people from the 1st Catholic High School in Bydgoszcz, also took place in Bydgoszcz.

Tomorrow’s gala concert in the main auditorium of Nicolaus Copernicus University (beginning at 7 p.m.) will feature Pergolesi’s magnificent Stabat Mater performed by Capella Bydgostiensis under the direction of Paweł Kapuła, the choir and soloists. Passion excerpts from the Gospels will also resound. The last free tickets for this event can still be picked up today at the Marshal’s Office bookshop.

Beata Krzemińska

Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office 

2 April 2025.