Great celebration in the Diocese of Tarnów! The miraculous image of Our Lady of Tuchów returned to its sanctuary on Saturday, June 20, 2026, after a meticulous restoration at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. The celebrations, which brought together a crowd of faithful, clergy, and distinguished guests, marked the culmination of a several-day pilgrimage of the restored painting through the prayer stations in Kraków and Tarnów. The solemn welcoming Mass in the Tuchów Basilica was presided over by Bishop Andrzej Jeż of Tarnów.
The restored image of Our Lady of Tuchów, which after restoration regained its original 500-year-old appearance, returned to the sanctuary in several stages. The restoration work exposed the oldest layer of paint, restoring the faces of Jesus and Mary to their original beauty.
Before the painting arrived in Tuchów, the main events of prayers being conducted in several significant places in the diocese:
- Krakow: 24-hour vigil at the Redemptorist Major Seminary.
- Tarnów (Diocesan Major Seminary): All-night vigil of the community of the diocesan seminary in Tarnów.
- Tarnów (Cathedral): On Saturday, June 20, at 10:00 a.m., seminarians solemnly carried the image through the city streets from the seminary on Piłsudskiego Street to the cathedral basilica. There, the residents of the region continued prayers for several hours, while the midday Mass was presided over by Bishop Leszek Leszkiewicz.
The wait for the departure from Tarnów was prolonged due to the crowd of faithful who surrounded the float until the last moment, singing and praying. After 4:30 pm, the image, escorted, departed for Tuchów, welcomed along the way by residents.
The celebration culminated at 6:30 pm on Tuchów Hill. At the beginning of the solemn Mass, the parish priest of the Tuchów shrine welcomed the gathered pilgrims, the nuns, and the many priests present.
In particular, the parish priest welcomed the pastor of the diocese, Bishop Andrzej Jeż, and the guest of honor, Bishop Józef Słaby, a Redemptorist bishop who ministers daily in the Prelature of Esquel, Argentina. Also present were a large number of missionaries, recently returned to their homeland, and priests from the Tuchów deanery.
“This is a beautiful and living testimony of faith and love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, famous for the graces granted in Tuchów. I invite you to this Eucharist, which may be a thanksgiving for this gift and for the restoration of the miraculous image, and above all for our faith,” said the parish priest and custodian of the shrine, Fr. Grzegorz Gut CSsR.
In proclaiming the Word of God, Bishop Andrzej Jeż of Tarnów recalled the historical context: exactly 61 years ago (on May 23, 1965), a similar ceremony took place for the reinstatement of the image after its restoration, presided over by Bishop Jerzy Ablewicz during the Second Vatican Council.
Referring to the current restoration work, the speaker emphasized that the rediscovery of the original faces of Mary and Jesus is a sign and a reminder for us.
Bishop Jeż noted that the contemporary world, despite the high level of education and technological development, suffers from a profound moral crisis and internal incoherence.
“Mankind needs another rebirth, for the end of humanity’s degeneration can only come about through a continuous spiritual rebirth, which is achieved through a profound sacramental life, the Word of God, and God’s grace,” the bishop emphasized.
The diocesan pastor also referred to the current cultural threats in Europe and Poland, linking the drift from God to serious social and demographic consequences. He emphasized that the growing ethical chaos blurs the lines between good and evil. The remedy for this situation is a return to mature decisions, informed by a righteous conscience.
Contemplating the restored image, the Bishop urged us to follow the example of Mary, who perfectly combines seemingly contradictory characteristics: she is simple and wise, humble, and full of dignity, tender and courageous.
“When we come here to the Shrine in Tuchów (…) we will immerse ourselves in the beauty of Mary, in the beauty of God, to be spiritually reborn. And then She will go with us wherever we are headed (…) Alongside Mary, we can rebuild our faith, strengthen our hope, and kindle our love,” concluded Bishop Andrzej Jeż.
After the solemn liturgy, the miraculous image was carried in procession to the basilica in Tuchów, where a prayer vigil of the faithful and grateful pilgrims was held until 9:00 PM. The restored image of Our Lady of Tuchów is once again venerated in its historic and permanent location.
Source: www.redemptor.pl (referred to diecezjatarnow.pl ; Photos: facebook.com/bazylikatuchow , Krzysztof Jasiński)
