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.
A traditional horse-drawn funeral carriage led the symbolic funeral march to Holy Name Cathedral on April 18. Marchers gathered near St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, 1351 W. Evergreen, to begin the more than two-mile procession.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World