Pilgrimages in times of trial

During Poland's 19th-century partition, sanctuaries dedicated to Christ and the Virgin Mary emerged as pivotal sites for preserving national identity. A study highlights how Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, along with Łąki Bratiańskie and Jasna Góra, became focal points of mass pilgrimage movements that intertwined religious devotion with patriotism. These sanctuaries acted as cultural and spiritual strongholds, shielding Poles from the erosion of their national identity during a period of foreign domination. The research underscores how pilgrimage practices in these sites fused Polish identity with Catholicism, serving as both a symbol of resistance and a catalyst for the nation's eventual path to independence.

Perszon, J. (2020). Pilgrimages in times of trial. Nineteenth-Century European Pilgrimages, 191–204. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429198892-14