The Catholic Pilgrim's Guide to Sokółka, Poland

Sokółka, a small town in northeastern Poland, has gained recognition as a notable Eucharistic pilgrimage site within the Catholic community. On October 12, 2008, a consecrated host reportedly fell during Mass at the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua. When placed in water as per standard procedure, the host did not dissolve as expected, but instead developed a visible red stain. A study commissioned by the local diocese and conducted by two pathologists at the Medical University of Białystok found that the sample contained myocardial tissue resembling distressed human heart muscle. The altered host is displayed in a reliquary for veneration by visitors. Pilgrims visiting Sokółka can attend daily Mass, participate in Eucharistic adoration, and receive the sacrament of reconciliation at the collegiate church located at ul. Grodzieńska 47. Elevated to collegiate status in 2009, the church established a collegiate chapter of the Blessed Sacrament to promote Eucharistic devotion. Key dates for gatherings include October 12 (the anniversary of the reported event), Corpus Christi in late May or June (Boże Ciało), and the Feast of Saint Anthony on June 13. Getting to Sokółka is straightforward. Trains run from Warsaw via Białystok, taking approximately three hours. The town lies 40 kilometers northeast of Białystok by car. Accommodation options include guesthouses in Sokółka, such as Miodowe Siedlisko and Zacisze, as well as hotels in nearby Białystok, including the Hotel Esperanto and the Hampton by Hilton. The best time to visit is from spring through autumn, when the weather is pleasant. The October anniversary attracts numerous pilgrims, including some from abroad, who come to reflect on this reported sign of faith.