Gathered by Mercy

There are places in Europe where faith still feels deeply woven into the streets themselves. Where prayer has shaped history, where suffering and hope seem to walk side by side. Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is one of those places. It was there, over the Ascension weekend 2026, that the Second European Oblates Pilgrimage brought together members of the Family of St. John from across the province for days marked by prayer, fraternity, and the quiet joy of walking together toward God.

Thirty-five participants from twelve nationalities and seven fraternities (Vilnius, Kaunas, Utrecht, Den Haag, Bucharest, Marchegg and London) gathered for the pilgrimage. In addition to the oblates, the gathering was joined by Apostolic Sister Marta Marija and five brothers from the European Province, including Provincial Brother Ignaz Maria. The local Lithuanian brothers with prior Br. Renauld Marie and the oblates welcomed the participants with remarkable generosity and care. From the first moments, it was clear that this was more than an international meeting. It was a true encounter of hearts united by the same spiritual family.

The theme that accompanied the pilgrimage was Divine Mercy, fitting for a city so closely connected to the revelations received by Saint Faustina Kowalska. Throughout the days in Vilnius, participants retraced the history of those revelations and discovered the dramatic story of the first image of the Merciful Jesus. Walking sections of the “Path of Mercy,” they encountered not only historical places, but also the enduring invitation of Christ: “Jesus, I trust in You.”

Prayer shaped the rhythm of each day. The pilgrims celebrated Holy Mass together daily, with oblates from different countries taking turns preparing the liturgy. There were moments of silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, the Liturgy of the Hours, opportunities for confession, and even all-night adoration. Again and again, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy wove the community together in a shared cry for peace, for the Family of St. John, and for a wounded world in need of God’s mercy. A particularly special moment was the renewal of the oblate commitment by one sister from the Den Haag fraternity. The whole community shared in her joy and accompanied her with prayer and gratitude as she promised to remain an oblate forever. 

The group also visited the Gate of Dawn, where the pilgrims entrusted themselves to Mary, Mother of Mercy, and brought their intentions to prayer before the famous icon of the Virgin Mary. They also explored the churches and neighborhoods of Vilnius, including the cathedral and other sacred places that speak quietly of Lithuania’s enduring Catholic soul.

Yet pilgrimage is never only about sacred sites. It is also about the people one walks beside.

Alongside the spiritual program, participants shared a day of study and formation. Brother Wojtek gave a reflection on the Beatitude, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,” inviting everyone to consider mercy not as an abstract ideal, but as a concrete way of living the Gospel. In smaller groups, participants worked with Initial Formation materials centered on Saint John and reflected together on what it means to follow the Lamb in the footsteps of the beloved disciple.

And as often happens on pilgrimages, grace also appeared in simple, joyful moments. One rainy evening did not prevent a lively barbecue filled with music, laughter, and Lithuanian hospitality. Local brothers and oblates taught traditional dances, and conversations stretched long into the evening despite the weather. Friendships deepened over shared meals and the discovery of Lithuanian cuisine: from kibinai, cepelinai and šašlykai to the traditional cake šakotis and the refreshing drink gira.

These moments of fraternity mattered. Pilgrims came from different countries, languages, and cultures, yet over the course of the weekend they became more visibly one family. The pilgrimage offered space not only for prayer, but also for listening, sharing stories, and discovering Christ in one another.

The gathering concluded on the Solemnity of the Ascension with a festive Mass celebrated together with the local parish community. Afterwards, the pilgrims visited contemplative sisters for tea and conversation before sharing their final reflections and memories from the journey.

As the pilgrimage came to an end, gratitude remained at the center: gratitude to the Lithuanian fraternities and brothers for their warm welcome, careful preparation, and generous accompaniment throughout the days in Vilnius. And gratitude, too, for the quiet reminder that the Christian life is itself a pilgrimage — one sustained by mercy, strengthened by community, and always directed toward heaven.

The European Oblates of St. John now look ahead with joy to the next pilgrimage, which will take place during the Ascension weekend 2027 in Marchegg, Austria. But for many who walked the streets of Vilnius together this year, something of the city and of the mercy encountered there will remain long after the journey home.

Go back ​to news