We kindly ask you to consider following advices while preparing for pilgrimage.

Health and fitness

Please remember that during a walking pilgrimage you will face significant physical effort and multiple forms of discomfort. Let us prepare for this physically and mentally. People who suffer chronic diseases should make sure that their doctor does not have anything aginst their participation. We should perceive the doctor’s decission as a will of God. If the doctor advises you not to go, please join the Spiritual Group.

The organiser does not demand from you any information regarding your health or any medical certificate. Nevertheless, it is advisable to inform a doctor or a nurse making the pilgrimage together with you about your health conditions. In case of a dangerous situation such informations may be crucial in an effort to preserve our health.

At least a month before the pilgrimage you should start to regularly take longer walks in order to get used to the distances we will face. During the last week of the preparation we should train less in order to regain strength.

Clothes

Let us remember that the regulations of the pilgrimage require us to adapt our clothing to our gender and the principles of Christian modesty.

You should take two pairs of shoes, well-worn and comfortable. If you get wet during rainy weather or if your feet are abraded, you will be able to replace your shoes. Some pilgrims replace their shoes depending on whether the route on a given day runs along asphalt or dirt roads. Do not take new shoes.

Light flip-flops or sandals may be useful and can be worn during an evening stop.

It is worth wearing thicker terry or woolen socks. Thin elastic socks may cause abrasions.

In hot weather and during significant effort, such as walking on a pilgrimage, the so-called thermoactive clothing may be useful. Its advantage is that it wicks moisture away from the body well and dries quickly. Such clothing does not stick to the sweaty body like cotton clothing, does not cause coldness and helps avoid abrasions. The disadvantage of this clothing is its relatively high price – a good T-shirt costs at least PLN 40 (it is not worth buying the cheapest products advertised as thermoactive or functional clothing).

A breathable long-sleeved shirt will provide good protection from the sun.

Long pants and long skirts will provide better protection against ticks and nettles in the forest.

We should protect our heads from the sun: take a cap or hat. Caps and hats with a part that protects the neck from the sun are a good idea. Sunglasses may also come in handy.

You should bring something warmer in case of cold nights and mornings. You should have rainwear.

You can prepare a separate set of clothes for the day of entering Częstochowa.

Cosmetics

You will definitely need basic cosmetics, such as: soap, shampoo, and toiletries, tooth brush, shaving equipment, deodorant. A small bowl may come in handy.

It is worth buying a so-called quick-drying towel (you can buy such towels in tourist shops for approx. PLN 40). They have many advantages over regular towels: they are small and light, and they dry very quickly. If such a towel does not dry during the night spent in the tent, it will certainly dry in the morning sun during Holy Mass.

Hygiene wipes and wet wipes (e.g. for babies) may be useful.

Things necessary for overnight stay

Be sure to take a tent, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad or the increasingly fashionable inflatable mattresses or inflatable sleeping pads, which are thin and light and take up little space when deflated.

Many pilgrims use the so-called self-decomposing tents. They are especially comfortable on pilgrimage, because they can be broken down and assembled in a very short time.

Hand luggage

We will carry the hand luggage on our own backs. Therefore let us take only what is really needed. 

We do not need to worry about food. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be provided by the pilgrimage kitchen. We should take with us a dish for eating, a mug, cutlery and a bottle for water. Plastic items are the least heavy. 

In hand luggage we should have a raincoat, a mosquito repellent, sun cream, sunglasses. It may be useful to bring a cream which helps with minor burns or insect bites.

You should bring a rosary.

Personal first-aid kit

In the hand luggage we should have a first aid kit containing:

• dressings (gauze pads, plasters with dressing, elastic bandage), bandages,,
• disinfectant liquid (e.g. Octenisept, Iodine),
• sterile needles type 1.2×40 (several pieces), sewing needles with cotton thread,
• tablets against colds, viral infections,
• antiallergic drugs (e.g. Zyrtec, Alertec, Fenistil, Calcium),
• foot oiling ointments, talc, powder for rashes (e.g. Alantan),
• pain-relieving gels (e.g. Traumon, Voltaren),
• cream with UV filter,
• painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs,
• drugs taken on a regular basis.
  

Main luggage

The items we bring should be placed in a durable bag or backpack. Smaller luggage items, including sleeping pads and sleeping bags should not be attached to the main luggage in case they did not fit inside the bag or backpack.

The main luggage will be picked up by the luggage car on the day of departure. During the inauguration of the pilgrimage a special point will be opened where you will be able to drop off your luggage. 

Please read Chapter 6 of the Pilgrimage Regulations. It describes the rules applicable to the daily drop-off and collection of luggage. Following these rules will help maintain order and good atmosphere during the pilgrimage.