Warsaw students arrive at Black Madonna

It was one of fourteen large groups of pilgrims ending their walk in the southern city of Częstochowa for the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary on 15 August.

There were also groups of the handicapped, firefighters, soldiers, the homeless and even World War Two veterans. Some pilgrims, from cities such as Szczecin in the north-west and Białystok in the north-east, covered more than 500 kilometres.

The tradition of the annual pilgrimages to the Black Madonna shrine goes back to the 17th century. The oldest pilgrimage, from the town of Kalisz, was held for the 378th time. The one led by the Paulite Friars of Warsaw was organised for the 304th time and attracted 5,600 people. (mk/jh/rk)