ZABŁUDÓW, GM. ZABŁUDÓW, POW. BIAŁOSTOCKI
"Miraculous Spring" in Zabludow is in fact a now-forgotten pond located in the meadows, at the site of the apparition of the figure of the Virgin Mary to fourteen-year-old Jadwiga Jakubowska on May 13, 1965. The miracle was to be repeated over the following days, attracting thousands of believers to the site. The communist authorities tried to stop the events. After the girl's announcement of another apparition on May 30, 1965, the gathered crowd clashed with the militia, who used tear gas in a Zabludowska meadow.
This is one of the few such well-documented examples of the formation of a miracle site described in detail on the basis of IPN documents by M. Krzywosz (2016). After the Zablud events, despite the cessation of the revelations and the lack of announcements of further revelations, crowds of pilgrims from all over the country continued to flock to the meadow. The faithful also visited Jadwiga and the church in Zabludow in large numbers. The apparition site, despite its non-recognition by church authorities, was covered with stones, a five-meter cross was set up and birches were planted. Pilgrims, both Catholics and Orthodox, brought and set up more crosses. A pond was dug, which acted as a miraculous spring. It was widely believed that the water taken from it had healing properties, as did the soil with which sick places were poulticed. Religious songs were prayed and sung in the meadow, votive offerings in the form of devotional items and liturgical towels were hung on the crosses, and coins were left behind. Prayers were directed to the Mother of God of Zabludowska (Krzywosz 2016, 166-167).
Today, a wooden cross and a small chapel are set up at the site of the apparitions. A bench for the faithful has been placed next to it. The place is regularly visited, candles are burned. Next to the shrine, a large erratic boulder with a footprint, which one of the villagers described as the foot of the Virgin Mary, who appeared here, was set up to commemorate the apparition. A pond playing the role of a miraculous spring is located a few dozen meters away.
Geographic coordinates: 53.00469, 23.32024
Information sources: Krzywosz 2016; https://poranny.pl/cud-zabludowski-zjawa-krazyla-nad-zabludowem/ar/9898628 (accessed March 20, 2023);
