In Poland, the Mother of God is most often worshipped in two images – The Częstochowa Mother of God and the Ostrobramska (Gate of Dawn) Mother of God. In Skarżysko-Kamienna there is a copy of the famous Vilnius painting, yet here Mother of God is adored as the Mother of Mercy.

The Gate of Dawn
The sanctuary of The Gate of Dawn Mother of God in Skarżysko-Kamienna has been existent since 1989. It is a faithful copy of the one in Vilnius. Its building started in 1988 and a year later cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz consecrated the chapel, where the enthroned painting of the Gate of Dawn Mother of God has been placed.  Also at that time, a first mass was conducted in the Skarżysko-Kamienna Gate of Dawn. The sanctuary is a visible sign of the union between Vilnius and this Świętokrzyskie town. Another indications are the relics of St. Rafał Królikowski, a monk who connected his life with The Gate of Dawn in Vilnius - his remains were brought to Skarżysko in 1992. To preserve the liaison with this Lithuanian city, a chapter has been summoned on that day. The chapter is also to popularise the worship of the Lady of Mercy, who since 1995 has been the Skarżysko-Kamienna patroness. The Church of the Gate of Dawn Mother of God was consecrated in 1993 by cardinal Józef Glemp, while the coronation of the Lady of Mercy took place in 2005.

The faithful replica
The Vilnius cult of the Gate of Dawn Mother of God image has a tradition of at least few centuries. The Skarżysko copy, painted by Izabela Borowska, was given to the sanctuary as a gift from bishop Edward Materski, the Ordinary of the Radom Diocese. The Mother of God is depicted as the Virgin of Annunciation and Awaiting.

The religious and patriotic symbolic
When visiting this unique place of Świętokrzyskie, it is worth to bear some events from the Polish history in mind, as it is overwhelmed not only with religious but also patriotic symbolic. Around the site there is the Way of the Cross,  built in 2000 and consecrated by the late bishop Jan Chrapek, the Ordinary of the Radom Diocese. It is a thankful votive for 2000 years of Christianity, the building of which has been supported with the funds from the Polonia (the Polish diaspora) in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. In the Chapel  of the Mother of God there are over 2000 votives, among which there is even a calotte of John Paul II. The stained glass windows, depicting Polish saints, are also noteworthy. The most important festivals take place in November, during the Gate of Dawn Mother of God Feast and the Days of the Mother of Mercy’s Care. In the complex there is also the House of Mercy, where the local people can get spiritual, as well as financial, support.

When St. Maximilian Kolbe had been to the Gate of Dawn, he prayed with the following words: ”Merciful Mother of God, you have no child in your arms, take me then and carry me fortunately through life.” Thus, many come to Skarżysko to repeat after him and ask for the same.