On the day of the liturgical memorial of St. Dorothy, a solemn indulgence was celebrated in the Licheń parish. The indulgence sum was presided over by Fr. Sławomir Kasprzak, dean of the Konin deanery II.
What does it mean to be a martyr? The Greek word 'martyr' means witness. The beginning of the 4th century was a terrible persecution. St. Cyprian describes how many bishops were beheaded. Recently, the Vatican has changed the perception of what martyrdom is. The martyrs' testimony of faith shows the reality of the martyrs who did not shed their blood, but were harassed at various times, e.g. during communism and fascism.
- What modern martyrs do we have? There are many genuinely martyred women who have given birth to disabled children with Down's syndrome. Many men leave such women. There are places where such children are not born. They are killed, and there are women who consciously give birth to such children and raise them without a husband. Contemporary martyrs - said Fr. Grygorcewicz, referring to the teaching of St. Dorothy, who believes that the one who cares for the sick is greater than the martyr. - May we not lack the oil mentioned in today's Gospel, the oil of the Holy Spirit, that we would not deny Jesus Christ - the priest concluded the homily.
According to the legend, the death of St. Dorothy was accompanied by the miraculous appearance of a child with apples and roses. Saints in iconography are depicted with just such attributes. Tradition in Licheń is the blessing of apples, which are taken home after the Holy Mass. The liturgy ended with litany to the patron saint of the parish and the blessing of the gathered people with the Blessed Sacrament.
