John Paul II and Krekenava
During the 600-year Jubilee of Lithuania’s Baptism in 1987, John Paul II several times referred to Krekenava as one of the most prominent Marian shrines in Lithuania. On September 8, 1999, the Holy Father established a plenary indulgence for pilgrims who visit the shrine of Krekenava during the octave of the Assumption and on the 15th of every month. On May 7, 2000, during a prayer service by the Coliseum in Rome that was part of the Great Jubilee of Christianity, John Paul II read out the names of 20th century martyrs for the faith. Among them were 114 Lithuanians, including 8 persons from Krekenava who were arrested in 1941 for defending the faith and died in prison of hunger, cold and harsh conditions.
