In the footsteps of JP2 After a two hour flight from Rome on Easter Monday, 24 March, the retreatants stayed at the Salesian Studentate of Philosophy and Theology in Krakow about 90 minute drive from Katowice airport. The medieval city of Krakow has 28 locations directly connected with Karol Wojtyla who became Pope John Paul II. Karol spent about 40 years of his life in Krakow before becoming pope starting as a college student and later becoming archbishop of Krakow. During this period Karol was away in Rome for two years. Karol was born in Wadowice about an hour`s drive from Krakow. The city of Krakow offers three types of tours: cultural, communist and John Paul II tours. Polish Salesian Fr Franciszek Krason, vice Rector of Gernini Studentate in Rome and Professor of Theology at the UPS weaved a tapestry of retreat reflections starting with a Marian theme in preparation of the day trip to Czestochowa (Black Madonna of Jasna Gora) the national Marian shrine a little over two hours drive in snowfall. The second day reflection dedicated to human person and the tragedy of man featured an impressionable visit to Nazi death camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau (1939 -1944) as well as the mother house of Salesian presence in Poland at Oswiecim established in 1898. The Salesian martyrs of the Nazi and Communist Persecutions were also remembered during the visit. The third day reflections highlighting priesthood was followed by visits to Salesian parish of St Stanislawa Kostki at Debniki in Krakow. It was young Karol`s parish for the first six years when he attended college and university (1938-44) as well as engaged in Polish resistance movement against Nazi occupation and youth activities like theatre and living Rosary groups. The fourth day theme on Divine Mercy culminated in the sacrament of reconciliation and the celebration of the Divine Mercy Chaplet at the Divine Mercy Basilica and Mass at Saint Faustina`s tomb, some 15 minutes drive form the Salesian Seminary in Krakow. A visit to the world heritage salt mines of Wieliczaka proved to be a living parable facilitating the fifth day reflection on being salt of the earth and light of the world (testimonies for the faith). Salesians in Poland The Salesian presence in Poland which marks 110 years this year, has four provinces with about 1,400 Salesians. Over 130 Polish Salesians serve as missionaries in Africa and Europe. The missionary orientation in the studentate is evident with a permanent set up of an African village compact with typical mud houses and thatched roofs surrounded by twig fence and a camp fire setting with logs for seating. They also have a national office for Mission Volunteers established in 1997 preparing young people who leave as short term missionaries to Africa. The young clerics leaving for practical training are conversant in English and Italian. Photo Caption: Eleven Indian Salesians in front of SDB Mother House in Oswiecim. Photo by Fr Tran Tan Huy