Our spiritual journey begins with one of the most valuable sacred monuments of the Lubuskie province - the Pocyster Monastery Complex in Gościków, also known as Paradyż. This pearl of Baroque architecture, located just 15 kilometers from Świebodzin, impresses with its monumental body and rich interior design.

The history of the place dates back to 1230, when Władysław Odonic, Duke of Greater Poland, brought the Cistercians from Lehnin in Brandenburg. Over the centuries, the monastery developed as an important spiritual and cultural center, surviving numerous wars and historical turmoil to impress today with its beauty and atmosphere. Particularly noteworthy is the church's Baroque façade with its two towers, which tower over the area and are visible from afar.

The interior of the church is a real feast for lovers of sacred art. The richly decorated altars, pulpit, stalls and confessionals are works of Silesian artists from the 18th century. Particularly valuable is the main altar with the image of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The St. Andrew's Chapel, meanwhile, contains a miraculous image of Our Lady Educator of Priestly Vocations, which attracts pilgrims from all over Poland.

The monastery is surrounded by a picturesque garden where monks for centuries cultivated herbs and vegetables. Today, the restored Baroque garden with a fountain is an ideal place for rest and contemplation. Also worth a look is the former refectory, where valuable frescoes have been preserved.

It's interesting to note that since 1952 the Higher Seminary of the Zielonogórsko-Gorzowska Diocese has been operating within the monastery's walls, making the place vibrant and still fulfilling its spiritual function. During the tour, we may come across seminarians preparing for the priesthood, which adds to the authenticity of this historic place.

Near the monastery is the picturesque Lake Paklicko Wielkie, where you can rest and relax in nature after a busy tour. The surrounding area abounds in forests full of mushrooms and berries, which is an additional attraction for visitors during the season.

The post-Cistercian monastery complex in Gościków-Paradyż is not only a monument, but above all a place of living faith and prayer. Retreats and days of recollection are regularly held here, as well as concerts of sacred music, which attract lovers of high culture. A visit to this place is a true journey back in time, allowing a better understanding of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the region.

The second day of our spiritual journey is devoted to a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Suffering Listening in Rokitno, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in western Poland. Situated picturesquely among forests and lakes, Rokitno, about 20 kilometers from Miedzyrzecz, attracts thousands of pilgrims seeking solace and spiritual support every year.

The history of the shrine is fascinating and dates back to the 17th century. At the center of worship is a small image of the Mother of God, painted on a linden board measuring just 40 by 30 centimeters. According to accounts, the image was brought from Italy by Bishop Andrzej Opalinski of Poznan in 1669. It quickly became famous for its miracles, especially the healing of epileptic patients, which contributed to the development of a Marian cult at the site.

The unusual nickname 'Patiently Listening' given to Our Lady of Rokitno is linked to local tradition. The faithful believe that Mary listens with special patience to the requests and concerns of pilgrims, leaving no one without spiritual support. This unique characteristic has made the shrine a place where many seek consolation in difficult moments of life.

The basilica, which houses the miraculous image, was built between 1746 and 1756 in the Baroque style. Its interior impresses with its richness of ornamentation and harmony of proportions. Particularly noteworthy is the main altar, where the miraculous image of the Mother of God is placed in a central position. In 1989 Pope John Paul II gave the temple the title of basilica minor, stressing its importance for the spirituality of the region.

Surrounding the sanctuary is a picturesque park with a Stations of the Cross and numerous shrines. It is an ideal place for prayer and contemplation. Particularly charming is a small pond with an island on which there is a statue of the Mother of God. According to local legend, the water from this pond has healing properties, especially for eye diseases.

An interesting fact related to Rokitno is that in 2005 Our Lady of Rokitno was officially declared the patron saint of Lubuskie Province. This unique title underscores the importance of the shrine not only in religious terms, but also in cultural and identity terms for the entire region.

Near the sanctuary is the Pilgrim's House, where you can stay for the night or a meal. Also worth a visit is the Parish Museum, which houses numerous votive offerings and pilgrims' gifts, testifying to miracles and graces received through the intercession of Our Lady of Rokitnia.

Rokitno is a place where spirituality is intertwined with history and natural beauty. The silence and tranquility that prevail around the sanctuary are conducive to prayer and reflection, allowing you to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and find inner peace. Regardless of your personal religious beliefs, a visit to this place leaves unforgettable impressions and prompts you to reflect on the spiritual dimension of human existence.

The third day of our spiritual journey begins with a visit to the Monastery of the Order of Friars Minor in Wschowa, a place with a unique atmosphere and rich history. Wschowa, located on the eastern edge of the Lubuskie province, was once an important cultural and religious center of the Greater Poland-Silesia borderland.

The Franciscan monastery, founded in 1455 by King Casimir Jagiellon, survived the turbulent history of the region, becoming a witness to the city's changing fortunes. The current Baroque complex dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, when it was rebuilt in a new style after war damage. The façade of the monastery church of St. Joseph the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary impresses with its harmonious proportions and elegant simplicity, typical of Franciscan modesty.

The interior of the temple hides real treasures of sacred art. Especially valuable are the Baroque altars, pulpit and stalls. Also attracting attention is the chapel of Our Lady of Consolation, with its miraculous image, which, according to local tradition, has repeatedly cried real tears in times of wars and epidemics. Many legends and stories have grown up around this image, passed down from generation to generation by the residents of Wschowa.

The monastery is also famous for its unique library, which houses valuable old prints and manuscripts. Although most of the collection was dispersed during secularization in the 19th century, the surviving copies are a valuable testimony to the intellectual activity of the Franciscans in the area.

A curiosity is the crypt beneath the church, where many distinguished residents of Wschowa, including representatives of the nobility and the bourgeoisie, were buried. The mummification of the bodies, which occurred naturally due to the specific conditions in the vaults, is a fascinating phenomenon, attracting researchers from all over Poland.

After visiting Wschowa, we head to Gościków again, this time to focus on the Sanctuary of Our Lady Educator of Priestly Vocations, which functions as part of the Post-Cistercian Monastery Complex. This is a relatively young shrine, officially established in 2002, but based on the centuries-old Marian tradition of the place.

At the center of worship is a 17th-century image of the Mother of God, which, according to historical accounts, was rescued from a fire and has been held in special veneration ever since. The image depicts Mary with the infant Jesus holding a bunch of grapes in her hand - a symbol of the Eucharist and priesthood. This symbolism has made the shrine a place of prayer for new priestly and religious vocations.

The uniqueness of this place lies in the combination of centuries-old Cistercian tradition with the living formation of future priests. The seminarians who live within the former monastery walls are a living testimony to the continuation of the spiritual heritage of the place. Their presence gives the shrine an authentic character of a place where history meets the present.

Of note is the annual indulgenced feast, held on September 8, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is when the sanctuary fills up with pilgrims from all over the diocese, and the solemn liturgy is usually presided over by the bishop of Zielona Gora.

Our three-day journey through the spiritual treasures of the Lubuskie region is coming to an end. We visited places with a unique atmosphere, learned fascinating stories and legends, and above all experienced peace and tranquility, so necessary in today's busy world. The monasteries and sanctuaries of Lubuskie, although less well-known than the famous pilgrimage centers in other parts of Poland, offer an authentic spiritual experience surrounded by beautiful nature and historic architecture.