prisoners and numerous refugees. There was a sawmill, carpentry and dairy, a repair shop for farm machinery, bicycles, watches and many other items. The friars grew their own food, they had livestock, bee hives and chickens. The courses of secret teaching were also held and PCK (Polish Red Cross) circle functioned. Pilgrimages today After the war the printing house in Niepokalanów was reopened and The Knight of the Immaculate was issued again. In 1948-1954 there was built a new church, since April 1980 called basilica minor. In June 1950, according to the decree of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, a new parish in Niepokalanów was established (6500 faithful circa). The church and the monastery were visited by Pope John Paul II during his second Pastoral Visit in Poland, on 18 of June 1983. The visit of the Pope made Niepokalanów famous not only in Poland, but also abroad. The Pope called the monastery a heroic place where saint Maximilian lived and the environment of the Immaculate. Many pilgrims want to visit the place, sacred by activity of St Maximilian, and pray in the local basilica. They also can see the Museum of St Maximilian (called There was a Man), established in 1998, and a wooden old chapel, one of the first buildings here, constructed in 1927 for the friars and rebuilt two years later so the local faithful could attend the celebrations and services. The monastery became also a place where many religious meeting are held. See also Basilica of Omni-mediatress of All Glories - history and architecture of basilica minor in Niepokalanów Maximilian Kolbe - the life and the activity of St Maximilian Kolbe, founder of Niepokalanów monastery Museum of St Maximilian - museum dedicated to St Maximilian Kolbe, evangelisation activity of Niepokalanów and Franciscan missions Small photo gallery References External links English version of the official site Travel information Life of the founder of Niepokalanów The First-Class Relics of St Maximilian Kolbe Shrines to the Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Poland Franciscan monasteries in Poland Christian organizations established in 1927 Sochaczew County The Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland