Thousands of Catholics of Polish descent living in the Archdiocese of Chicago mourned the loss of Poland’s president, his wife and 94 others who died in a tragic plain crash near Smolensk, Russia, April 10. The loss was keenly felt in Chicago, which is thought to have the highest population of people of Polish descent outside of Poland. Here is a look at the local remembrances held in honor of the victims.
Grazyna Lewandowska from St. Constance Parish signs a condolence book honoring Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, Maria, at the Polish National Alliance, 6100 N. Cicero Ave. in Chicago on April 16. The Polish president and his wife were among the 96 people killed in a plane crash April 10.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World