They prayed, the sky suddenly darkened. Evacuation of 20 thousand people from Lednica Fields

On the morning of June 7, the Lednica Fields, where one of the largest Catholic events takes place every year, were opened to pilgrims.

Unfortunately, due to difficult weather conditions, the organizers decided to order an urgent evacuation. In the evening, a vigil was held, which – according to the plan, in good weather conditions – would last until late at night and would end with a symbolic passage of the faithful through the so-called "Fish Gate" – in this way, the young publicly declare their faith in Jesus Christ.

Wielkopolska. The organizers of the 29th Youth Meeting in Lednica ordered an evacuation

The Government Security Centre has issued a weather alert, which is valid on Saturday and the night of June 7-8. "Possible storms with very strong winds and rain. Prepare for possible flooding and power outages" - reads the warning from the unit directly subordinate to Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

According to the Polish Press Agency, the organizers of the meeting initially asked the participants only to fold their tents, flags and move away from the metal elements of the structure. Ultimately, however, due to the deteriorating conditions, an evacuation was ordered - the gathered were ordered to take all their belongings and leave the sectors in the fields. Soon, coaches filled with young pilgrims left the lake near Gniezno, where - according to assumptions - the Polish king Mieszko I was to be baptized.

The PAP editorial office reports that such an event is taking place in Lednica for the first time in history. This event has been organized since 1997 (the initiator and pastor of the popular meetings was the late Father Jan Góra - a Dominican, i.e. a member of the Order of Preachers). This time, about 21,000 people were to gather in the fields - a similar number of participants was indicated in 2024, and also in 2023 (in 2019, it was three times more - 60,000). The slogan of this year's Lednica is: "Always up!". The main pastor of the event is now Father Tomasz Nowak, former prior of the Dominican monastery in Łódź.

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