On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Diocese of Dundee gathered in great numbers for its Annual Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows at Maria Ratschitz.

In his first address in Dundee Diocese, the Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa reflected on the meaning of pilgrimage. “A pilgrimage is never simply a journey of the body; it is above all a journey of the heart. To walk as pilgrims is to confess that we are all travellers on the road toward God, who is our final homeland,” said Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński.

The Nuncio, who was joined by the recently appointed Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature, Monsignor Giacomo Antonicelli, joined the faithful at the invitation of Bishop Graham Rose.

In the Sunday, September 14 address to over 30 priests and nearly 5,000 pilgrims, who gathered in honour of Our Lady and to renew their commitment as “Pilgrims of Hope”, Archbishop Jagodziński emphasized that hope is central to Christian discipleship, particularly in times of difficulty.

He said, “Hope is the gift that sustains us when burdens weigh heavily, when trials seem unending, and when the night appears too dark. Hope whispers to us that the dawn will come, because Christ is risen.”

Pointing to Mary as a model for the Church, the Papal representative reminded the faithful that “Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, is the perfect companion for us pilgrims of hope.” And that “at the foot of the Cross she stood, pierced by sorrow, yet never defeated. With her gaze fixed on Christ, she teaches us to persevere, to trust, and to hope when human strength alone falters.”

The day also carried a joyful surprise. At the conclusion of the Mass, Archbishop Jagodziński invited the congregation to celebrate the birthday of Pope Leo XIV. “My heart is filled with joy that we can unite here in prayer for him,” he said. “Holy Father, may the Lord who called you to be the Shepherd of His flock fill your days with joy, your heart with unshakable hope, and your ministry with abundant fruit. Ad multos annos!”

On behalf of the pilgrims, the Nuncio extended warm greetings to the Holy Father, before they joined together in singing “Happy Birthday to You, dear Pope Leo.”

Archbishop Jagodziński also shared a personal note of closeness from his recent audience with Pope Leo XIV: “The Holy Father holds you in his heart. He encourages you to walk together as a Church filled with hope, a Church that does not retreat in the face of challenges but courageously announces the joy of the Gospel.”

In closing, he urged the faithful to carry the grace of the pilgrimage into their daily lives: “May this pilgrimage rekindle in each of us the flame of faith. May it renew our trust that Christ walks beside us on every road, even those marked by sorrow. And may it send us forth as true pilgrims — men and women who radiate hope in our families, our parishes, our workplaces, and our communities.”