Book Review: “The Way of Mercy: Pilgrimage in Catholic Poland”

“The Way of Mercy: Pilgrimage in Catholic Poland” provides us opportunity to grow in faith while on spiritual pilgrimage in Poland. This well-written and beautifully illustrated book is designed as a guide and preparation resource for Catholics who may want to make a spiritual pilgrimage to Poland. It can also be used for the imaginative traveler to visualize traveling through Poland to experience the many wonderful and inspiring Catholic shrines, historical sites and memorials.

Stephen J. Binz, a Catholic biblical scholar and award-winning author, has done a fantastic job of providing in-depth historical knowledge, colorful photos and meditations for prayer that make it easy to experience new perspectives about the faith while “traveling” through twentieth-century Poland.  

I like the way Binz prepares us for our journey in part I, by first providing the context on “Divine Mercy,” the history of Catholicism in Poland and how the terrible struggles experienced by the Polish people during WWII led to “renewed grace” and stronger adherence to the Catholic faith.

Once prepared to make pilgrimage, Binz suggests we “read, reflect, pray and contemplate the richness of Catholic Poland.” There are 12 parts to the 300-page book, each containing interesting facts of various Polish saints, patron saints and shrines along with excellent meditations for prayer.

“The Way of Mercy” is packed with very interesting details, beautiful pictures and reference to many aspects of Catholic faith. Therefore, my description of the content must be limited and may do injustice to how well Binz gives us a thorough and complete picture of Catholic Poland.   

In Parts II, III and IV, we learn about the interesting and impactful lives of Saint Faustina Kowalska, “Apostle of Divine Mercy,” Saint Maximillian Kolbe and Saint John Paull II. Here we have opportunity to meditate and pray while experiencing enthralling biographical knowledge and new insights for the contributions these saints have made to Christianity in Poland and for the Catholic faith around the world.  

Parts V-X introduce us to the lives and contribution of several Polish patron saints and to many of the beautiful shrines located throughout Poland.

For those who may have a strong interest in history, especially WWII, Part XI is focused on Jewish heritage and Holocaust martyrs.

Part XII, “Returning Home,” proposes that now we have completed our pilgrimage, we respond to the call of God. We are reminded of that response at the closing of every Mass, “Ite Missa est:” “Go, You are sent forth,” “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord,” “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”

I greatly enjoyed reading through this well-written guide and believe my personal pilgrimage strengthened my faith and drew me closer to Jesus. 

“The Way of Mercy: Pilgrimage in Catholic Poland” is a good pilgrimage guide and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in making a unique spiritual journey in Catholic Poland.  

John H. Dolezal is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.