22/08/2026
In the small village of Gietrzwałd, Poland, during one of the darkest periods of Polish history, the time of the Kulturkampf under Prussian rule, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to two young girls: 13-year-old Justyna Szafryńska and 12-year-old Barbara Samulowska.
Poland was partitioned and its language and faith were under heavy suppression. Churches faced restrictions, Polish was banned in schools, and Catholic life was threatened.
Yet, starting June 27, 1877, and continuing for over 100 apparitions until September, Our Lady appeared above a maple tree near the church. She spoke to the girls in beautiful, simple Polish — a powerful sign of hope and identity.
When the girls asked her questions about their struggles, the Church, and the future, Mary gave the same clear, comforting answer every time:
“Pray the rosary, and your problems will be solved.”
She also said:
“I wish you to recite the rosary every day.”
This message brought immense comfort and strength to the Polish people. Pilgrims flocked to Gietrzwałd, and many reported healings at the miraculous spring Our Lady pointed out.
Gietrzwałd remains Poland’s only officially approved Marian apparition site. It is often called the “Polish Lourdes.”
In our own difficult times — with so many problems in families, societies, and the Church — the message from Gietrzwałd is more relevant than ever:
The Rosary is the answer.
🙏 Let us take up the rosary with renewed faith today.
Have you prayed your rosary yet? 💙
