In the heart of the Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) region, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Polish Martyrs, at Kałków-Godów commemorates one of the darkest chapters in Poland's wartime history. During the Nazi occupation, the Świętokrzyskie forest region witnessed brutal pacification operations that killed thousands of civilians. This modern sanctuary honors those martyrs while offering spiritual healing to their descendants and to all who seek reconciliation with a painful past.
The shrine complex, developed since 1991 by Father Czesław Krakowiak, combines multiple structures: the main church, a chapel of adoration, outdoor altars, and monuments commemorating specific wartime tragedies. Pope John Paul II visited in 1991, blessing the emerging complex and emphasizing themes of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Kałków-Godów is not an ancient pilgrimage site but a living memorial—a place where historical memory and Marian devotion intersect. Pilgrims come to pray for the victims of war, to find healing from inherited trauma, and to encounter Mary as the Mother who understands all suffering.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
The Świętokrzyskie region, densely forested and difficult to access, became a center of Polish resistance during the Nazi occupation. German forces responded with devastating reprisals against civilian populations. Villages were burned; inhabitants were massacred; the forest witnessed scenes of horror that traumatized survivors and their descendants.
Father Czesław Krakowiak, a local priest, conceived the idea of a sanctuary that would commemorate these martyrs while pointing toward forgiveness and reconciliation. Construction began in the 1980s and accelerated after the fall of communism. The sanctuary's dedication to Our Lady of Sorrows reflects Mary's presence at the foot of the Cross—a mother who witnesses her children's suffering.
Pope John Paul II's 1991 visit gave the project national visibility. The pope, himself a witness to the war, spoke of the need to remember the victims while seeking the grace to forgive perpetrators. His message of reconciliation remains central to the sanctuary's mission.
☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Kałków-Godów
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Polish Martyrs
Sanktuarium Matki Bożej Bolesnej Pani Świętokrzyskiej
The main church houses a miraculous image of Our Lady of Sorrows and serves as the focal point of pilgrimage. The interior incorporates memorial elements honoring the region's martyrs.
Chapel of Perpetual Adoration
The adoration chapel provides space for continuous prayer before the Blessed Sacrament—a response to the violence of the past through contemplative presence.
Martyrdom Memorials
The sanctuary grounds include monuments and memorial sites commemorating specific wartime tragedies: massacred villages, executed partisans, and civilian victims of Nazi reprisals.
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows — September 15
The main pilgrimage draws thousands to commemorate the wartime martyrs and pray for peace.
Anniversary of Papal Visit — June (varies)
The anniversary of John Paul II's 1991 visit is commemorated with special liturgies.
All Souls' Day — November 2
Prayers for the war dead and all faithful departed take on particular significance at this memorial shrine.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Dom Pielgrzyma Kałków (pilgrim accommodation) — The sanctuary operates a pilgrim house. Contact the parish.
Starachowice Hotels — The nearest larger town offers several hotels.
🚗 Getting There
By Car: From Kielce, take Route 74 east toward Starachowice, then local roads (approximately 50 km). From Radom, take Route 9 south (approximately 60 km).
📚 Further Reading
Ks. Czesław Krakowiak. Sanktuarium Kałków-Godów: Historia i duchowość — History of the sanctuary by its founder (in Polish).
Ryszard Kaczmarek. Świętokrzyskie w czasie II wojny światowej — The Świętokrzyskie region during World War II (in Polish).
🔗 Useful Links
Sanctuary of Kałków-Godów — Official shrine website.
Diocese of Radom — Diocesan resources.
🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations
Holy Cross Monastery (Święty Krzyż) (30 km) — Ancient monastery with relic of the True Cross.
Studzianna (50 km) — Oratorian sanctuary with miraculous icon.
Gidle (60 km) — Dominican sanctuary with miraculous Pietà.
🪶 Closing Reflection
"We come to this place not to remain in the past, but to draw from the testimony of the martyrs the strength to build a civilization of love." — Pope St. John Paul II, Kałków-Godów, June 4, 1991
