On 4  September  started VII th International pilgrim route from Hill of Crosses to Siluva, dedicated to 1608 th Anniversary St. Mary‘s  apparition. St. Mary‘s  apparition in Siluva is considered the first apparition of the Mother of God in Europe and  one of five apparitions recognised by the Church as well as the only case when God‘s Mother appeared to people of different confessions.

As every year, cadets took part in the route as well as made every effort to help the pilgrims and organisers. Just as they came to the Hill of Crosses, they felt the spirit and mood of the place at once. The first action of ours that is traditionally performed before the beginning of St. Mass was going round the hill and trying to realise what influence had this place had to Lithuanians’ wish to restore independence and resist the policy of Soviet Union to destroy the Church.

At midday, pilgrims guided by Bishop of Siauliai and Ordinary of Lithuanian Armed Forces Bishop Eugenijus Bartulis started their three-day-pilgrim-route to Siluva. A large crowd of people, the old and the young, full of resolution, with prayers and psalms were moving towards Rekyva Lake where they were to spend their first night. Soldier’s porridge for supper as well as lots of events, the most attractive of which was presentations of youth groups, including the one of the cadets of the Military Academy, were awaiting the pilgrims.
The second day’s walk included 30 km on foot from Rekyva Lake to Gaustvinis Lake. People‘s warmth led us all our way: settlements met pilgrims with apples, pears, plums and drinking water. We realised that this route is not only travelling from point A to point B, but also demonstration of people‘s strength and unity. The strength and unity remained when it started to rain heavily and it could not stop us. The evening was calmer, but in spite of the rain we built a fire and listened to a splendid rock concert after which everybody peacefully went to sleep.

On 6 September in the morning after having soldier‘s porridge for breakfast we were ready for our final walk - the distance of 14 km from Gaustvinis Lake to Siluva. Nobody thought about pain in the feet, cold or weariness for there were several steps left to Siluva. Heavy rain started again but people leaded by psalms and chants kept moving forward. After a stop in Tytuvenai it was clear that the other stop is Siluva. Several final kilometres, and a tremendous 40-metre-height-chapel built to the honour of St. Mary was seen in the horizon. Tired pilgrims, some of whom could hardly stand on their feet, turned towards St. Mary‘s Birth Basilica to attend St. Mass.

Cadets found much more in this pilgrim route than just walking round beautiful areas. This route might has strengthened their faith in God and revealed that there are a lot of young people who are not just victims of TV or the Internet.
The ones who took part in the route will definitely want to repeat and experience this once more. I hope that next year the number of participants will increase and other colleges of ours will join the group of 16 cadets, participating in the event.

Cadet Tomas Mogodia