John Paul II waited for them every year. This is what not only Archbishop Mokrzycki says. That’s how it was. Marcin Zubek remembers how one time in the Paul VI's Hall the Holy Father blessed married couples from all over the world. The Highlanders from Podhale also participated in this audience. And suddenly his people are calling us - he says. -That we should come forward and play for the Holy Father. Because he is waiting. And, so he was blessing, and we were playing. And he was smiling. And he conducted with his cane. When we were finishing, he wanted more and more. With his cane, he was playing the rhythm. And he was twirling and moving it. It was amazing that this highlander’s music gave him so much joy. Then, Cardinal Dziwisz told them that they held longer the Holy Father in the hall for the entire six minutes and forty seconds. He also said that the Holy Father was strengthened by this music; that we added strength to him. This was evident. It provided the highlander’s vigor to him. I would say so. Such a force, such a kick, as we would say it. Usually, they came to the general audience held in the Paul VI's hall. And, in the evening they were meeting with the Holy Father on an intimate highlander’s Christmas caroling; in the Clementine Hall. Apparently, it was enough for the Pope to see them, and he was already smiling. And, when they started playing and singing, it was like he instantly got younger. There were such very cheerful situations – says Mr. Marcin. - We sang the first, second, third verse of a Christmas carol. The musicians were finishing. Silence. And, the Holy Father was saying: "And the fourth verse is like this..." And it was not important that some procession with gifts was supposed to go. And everything started again. Father Stanislaw Olszówka, whom the Holy Father knew well, was with us. And, when we sang these four verses, he would sometimes say: "And our Stasiu, he certainly knows one more than I do." And everyone laughed.
With the consent of Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki – "A place for everyone"
Znak Publishing House, Kraków 2013.
