Polski
Sanctuary in Kałków-Godów the Sanctuary of the Sorrowful Mother of God (Matki Boskiej Bolesnej) belongs to the youngest centers of the Marian cult in Poland however visited multitudinously by pilgrims and tourists.
The beginnings and development of the sanctuary are related to the figure of priest Czesław Wala, who appeared in the parish in Krynki in the late 1960s. Wanting to reach as many believers as possible, including those from distant places, he established a catechetical center in Kałków. According to eyewitness accounts, it was a simple building with no floor and a leaky roof.
Everything gained momentum when in 1982 a group of pilgrims from Kałków went on a pilgrimage to the sanctuary in Licheń. It was there that a decision was made that exactly one year from now there will be an ingress of the image of the Licheń Madonna to Kałków. As it was decided, the ingress of the image took place on May 22, 1983. More and more faithful learned about the new sanctuary, and the arrival of the image in Licheń gave rise to the pilgrimage movement to Kałków.
Parallel to the work on the construction of the church, work began on the Pilgrim House.
The charismatic prelate priest Czesław Wala went to rest in 2020. He left behind an impressive Marian complex, the heart of which is a two-level church with a copy of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Licheń.
The visitors' attention is drawn to the Golgotha rising over 30 meters, where the martyrdom of the Polish nation is presented on 5 levels.
In addition to these objects, pilgrims can stroll among grottoes, statues and chapels referring to religious themes. A place particularly liked by young pilgrims is a nativity scene and a mini zoo.
