EWC - Extreme Way of the Cross

Anniversary year

along the ewc road: Let’s Go!

2025 EDItion

There’s no such thing as ‘Impossible’.
Love is the Ultimate Challenge According to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Find True Love on the Paths of the Extreme Way of the Cross.

The Jubilee Year is happening now. If not now, then when? Train and sign up for an EWC route as soon as possible. More routes will be available from Ash Wednesday.

Meditations

As idealists, we aspire to live as such—and to die as such.
Love, however, is the first and greatest ideal. Love makes us human, love elevates us, and love is God.

Do you support EWC with a donation?

We need financial support to grow the world of Idealists. Are you an Idealist? Don’t wait. Let yourself be known through the fruits of your labor. Good fruits.

Join EWC now, don’t wait!

EWC is 40 km through the night, in focus. Alone or in a small group. But it’s not about covering the distance—it’s a journey within. A spiritual experience. When setting out on EWC, let spiritual intentions guide you. EWC is a way to break free from life’s patterns. “You must be born again,” Jesus said. And you can literally do it. Do you believe? Show it to God. Don’t believe? Seek the Ideals. EWC is the end of the world of comfort and the beginning of a beautiful life. What do you choose? The way things are, or a chance for a beautiful life? Go—the Jubilee Year is here.

EWC is a journey deep within yourself

Jesus went into the desert for 40 days.
You—walk at least 40 kilometers.
But above all, step deep into yourself.

40 km is a long way

Train to prepare yourself for the struggle that lies ahead. The journey must be far through the darkness of night while in deep focus. You must step out of your comfort zone.

There will be unpredictable weather

Anything can happen. Be prepared. — take more clothes than usual.
There might be rain, and sometimes it is extremely cold.
Bring food and water. Be ready for the extreme.

The most important thing is prayer

Seek solitude and focus. Do not talk—talk to God. Reflections are the key. Think a lot, speak little.

What is EWC for

To change your life. To change yourself. To seek growth in a relationship. To break out of stagnation. To find inspiration, to forgive.

Safety

You set out at your own risk. Take a phone with a power bank. Download the route app. Print the route description. Think.

The most important information about EWC

When is EWC 2025?

Each region sets its own date. Most routes take place on Fridays during Lent, especially before Palm Sunday. Some start right after Ash Wednesday, others even on Good Friday. Find the full list of routes and dates at trasy.edk.org.pl to see which regions are active, what routes are available, and when you can set out. Can’t make the official date? Walk the EWC route on your own—anytime. The challenge and the spiritual journey matter more than the date.

40 km through the night, alone or in deep focus. But the solitary night route is just a tool. The most important part is the spiritual experience—stepping out of your comfort zone, being ready to talk to God, to change your life. You know how things are, but you don’t know how they could be. EWC is a journey beyond the familiar world, toward Something Different, toward a New Life.

It has to be far. 40 km is far. It is meant to be far. It’s about experiencing the hardship of the journey, stepping out of your comfort zone. A marathon is 42 km and 195 meters, while EWC is at least 40 km—or 30 km with at least 500 meters of elevation gain. It can be more. But it’s not about sport, not about covering the greatest distance. It’s about the spiritual experience.

Essentially alone. Not necessarily by yourself. You can walk with one other person or in a small group, as long as you stay focused on the spiritual experience. Social elements like conversations or picnics should be saved for another time.

Soul and body together—that is true spirituality. That’s why EWC is fundamentally a walking journey. Not running, not cycling, not other extreme ideas. On foot, because it’s about focus, about prayer, not about performance. If someone completes EWC but does not engage in spiritual life, they gain nothing. Of course, everyone can spend their time as they wish, but not everything is EWC.

Leaders should only propose routes of 40 km or longer, or 30 km with over 500 meters of elevation gain. If they offer anything else, they are deceiving. They think in a “human” way. They want to make it easier, but EWC helps by setting challenges. Of course, individuals may choose to withdraw from the route earlier. Everyone is free to decide.

Similar to hiking trails, EWC routes are suggested paths to walk. They are specially designed to support a deep spiritual experience, usually leading through forested areas whenever possible. EWC routes are available on the website and in the mobile app for Android and iOS. Typically, they are reviewed each year to account for any changes. It’s important to understand that everyone follows EWC routes at their own risk. Conditions can change suddenly—after heavy rain, a storm, or snowfall.

Traditionally, EWC takes place during Lent. There are two ways to experience EWC. First, anyone can choose to walk individually at any time. Second, in regions where EWC routes are organized, a Holy Mass is held at the start. There are hundreds of such locations in Poland and around the world. In different regions, the dates of the communal Mass may vary. That’s why it’s important to check the EWC routes panel to find the relevant dates and locations. The decisions about the date of the Mass and the available routes are made locally. This is why we don’t have collective information in advance. Only when a leader updates the details in the IT system will they be available.

How to prepare for EWC

EWC is solitude, hardship, and silence. It is a night where you are alone with your life, yourself, and God. A time with no excuses. It is not a sport, not a marathon. Time, pace, and results do not matter. You are not running for a medal. You don’t have to be an athlete. But you must be ready for change.

Jubilee Year – a time for change

The Jubilee 2025 is centered around the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” Pope Francis encourages us: “We must rekindle the flame of hope that has been given to us and help everyone gain new strength…” New strength. The Pope adds: “On the paths of hope, we must seek a far-sighted vision of life.” We seek. Today. We are called to look toward the future with openness. And we do. Because we, the people of EWC, are not complainers who grumble about everything. We are Idealists. People who take life into their own hands. Who take responsibility for themselves and for their love. Though we are immersed in the harsh reality of life, we want to “overcome evil with good.” Idealists.

The EWC is a night-time pilgrimage. The weather can often be unpredictable. You need to be prepared for that. It can get cold, especially in the early morning. It’s worth bringing even twice as many clothes as usual, to avoid getting too cold. Always bring something waterproof. Even if it’s not raining, mornings are often damp with dew.

They are important because it’s a long way, after all. The best ones are sports shoes. Nowadays, there are many types of sports footwear. The best ones are those designed for trekking or trail running. They should have a hard sole, and it’s great if they’re water-resistant. Even if it’s not raining, morning dew often wets the shoes. It’s best to have shoes that are already tested. You should walk in them at least once before for over 10 kilometers. If someone isn’t sure about their shoes, a good idea is to pack a second pair in their backpack. Shoes aren’t heavy, and they might turn out to be a lifesaver. Taking such a precaution isn’t something to be ashamed of. After all, not everyone has experience with such expeditions.

You should bring food and drink with you. The Extreme Way of the Cross (EWC) is extreme, but we’re not aiming to fast on the route. The key elements are the night, the distance, focus, and spirituality. The food should be ‘smart,’ meaning easy to eat quickly. It’s not about having picnics. It’s better to bring a bit more food—you can always share it with others.

“Important. Best to bring it along with a power bank. After all, everyone participates at their own risk, and things can turn out differently than expected. It’s a good idea to arrange with a loved one so that, in case of a crisis, they can answer a call and help find a solution.

In the past, we used to prepare route descriptions that you could print out. Such descriptions still exist, but they’re no longer as detailed. This is partly because there are various GPS systems now, especially on phones. When using a phone for navigation, you need to remember about a power bank, turning off the screen, and conserving energy. Just as the descriptions aren’t super precise, navigation doesn’t have to be exact either. The GPS signal doesn’t reach everywhere with the same strength, and inaccuracies can occur, sometimes up to a few hundred meters. That’s why wisdom is always important.

It’s important and helpful. In the app, you can find information about the routes, the route itself, including a GPS track. The app also includes meditations in both text and audio versions. You simply have to have the app!!! It can be downloaded for free on Android and iOS.

Registration is helpful for the leaders. Thanks to it, they know how many people to expect at the Mass and how many might choose each route. When registering, it’s worth leaving an email address because it allows the leader to send more detailed information about the event. Generally, registration is a way to achieve greater synergy in the EWC. Successful cooperation is a source of good fruits.

“Yes, of course. We invite you to join. And we can only ask for a donation to support the development of the EWC. It’s quite a significant undertaking, after all…

The spirituality of EWC

100,000 people on EWC in 2024? Who told them to go? 40 km! No one but their own soul. A neglected soul takes away the meaning of life. After EWC, people want to live. They discover new possibilities, gain ideas, and find the strength to make them happen. EWC is true proof of the soul’s existence. Without EWC, there is no life! We started in 2009. We, the Idealists.

Fr. Jacek wiosna stryczek

He calls himself ordinary. But those who know him understand that there is no place for mediocrity in his life. The creator of EWC, Noble Gift, and many other projects. His dream is a world full of Idealists! He never has enough—of challenges, growth, self-improvement, knowledge, and creativity. He likes people.

Meditations

Jesus said: ‘For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will save it’ (Luke 9:24). We take these words literally. Following the example of St. Francis. The EWC is a ‘loss,’ a step out of the comfort zone. It’s 40 kilometers at night.

Jesus spent 40 days in the desert. We walk 40 kilometers. It’s an obvious reference. In both His life and ours, it’s a trial, a kind of training before significant life events. The temptations described in the Gospel correspond to our tangled thoughts. Despite the confusion of thoughts, we must still make good decisions and get out of trouble. Ideals are necessary.

Jesus and His contemporaries walked a lot. They didn’t really have much of an alternative. As a result, the apostles had the strength to go all the way to the ends of the world. What are we lacking?

“How did Jesus’ teaching conquer the world? The first disciples weren’t rich, they didn’t have power, and they weren’t educated. How did they do it? They were beautiful people. They were idealists, and others wanted to spend time with them. People joined them to become like them. That’s why we base the EWC on beautiful people and expect such good fruits after completing the EWC.

Our ideals come from the Gospel. Ideals are simply a way of life. Not perfection. By learning from Jesus how to live, we simultaneously strive to look toward the future. We discern various social trends, study history, and make use of the latest technology. We don’t want to be a Church of the past, a fallen one. We want to be a vibrant, evangelical Church. And it shows. There may be places where the number of people in the Church is decreasing, but our numbers keep growing.

“To build a place for God, the best specialists and the latest technologies of that time were employed. Everything had to be top-notch—after all, it was about God. On top of that, it had to be beautiful, meticulously crafted, and modern not only from the ground level. Even the details of the structure, somewhere near the church towers, visible more from the sky, were supposed to be extraordinary. After all, God Himself is looking at it.

The Church owes a great deal to him. Like no one else, he decided to put the Gospel into practice literally. He reconnected the spirit and the body in a new way. In the suffering of the cross, he saw life. After all, it was he who created the idea of the nativity scene and the kind of Christmas we know today. It was he who saw Christ on the cross, wounded and suffering—the image we are familiar with. It’s hard to believe, but these two traditions begin with him.

The most Catholic prayer is precisely meditation. Meditation involves reflecting on the Word of God and contemplating it. And at the end, making a life resolution. Without meditation, the Eucharist would be incomprehensible. The Rosary isn’t just reciting prayers—it’s meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, which is meditation. The Breviary is, above all, meditation. The Way of the Cross consists of reflecting on the stations, which is meditation. Christianity is a religion of the Word, meaning a religion of meditation. ‘In the beginning was the Word’—this verse from the Gospel of John also pertains to meditation. That’s why reflections are so important in the EDK. Reflections, which always draw from Christian sources, force you to think, sometimes irritate, and help with life decisions. Life testimonies are what make them relatable.

Jesus brought Ideals to Earth, according to which He lived and died. By the power of these Ideals, He ascended into Heaven. God is Life. Life in accordance with Ideals. ‘On earth as it is in heaven’ means the same Ideals in these two worlds. Thanks to Ideals, they are united. ‘He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life’ (2 Corinthians 3:6). Idealism is the Spirit that gives life. It is the New Covenant.

EWC – a tool for life transformation

If you can walk those 40 kilometers or more, then maybe you can accomplish much more in life? Maybe we are not just surrounded by random circumstances that are more or less favorable to us, but we actually have the power to take charge of our lives. To open ourselves to the unknown.

The EWC is not about being in luxury. It’s about challenging yourself. It’s not about being comforted. It’s about personal growth through suffering.

The Extreme Way of Cross is nothing like traditional pilgrimages in a group, where it’s safe, where there’s singing, a priest looking after you, electricity. It’s not like that at all. The EWC means a dark night and struggling to overcome your weaknesses…

True about EWC

EWC for the soul

See how it is on the EWC

Begin with the soul

Testimonies

JAGODA

EWC gave me something I can’t quite name. Something that makes me want to walk this path again…

Annie

When you’re barely walking and watching the sunrise, faith takes on a whole new dimension.

Mary

I’ve gone twice, two completely different experiences. I will definitely go again… Every EWC is a new story.

Bartek

By conquering EWC, I overcome my own perceptions of myself. It’s more than just a march; it’s a journey deep within.

Robert

I walk because I want to rediscover that life is beautiful.
Every step on EWC is a step toward a deeper appreciation of life.

Thomas

EWC gave me the inspiration to change and the strength to make those changes happen. It’s not just a physical journey, but a spiritual one as well.

Audio meditations

Download all meditations in PDF

AUDIO MEDITATIONS

Introduction
You must demand of yourself

Station I
Jesus is condemned to death

Station II
Jesus takes up his Cross

Station III
Jesus falls for the first time

Station IV
Jesus meets His Mother

Station V
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross

Station VI
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Station VII
Jesus falls for the second time

Station VIII
The women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus

Station IX
Jesus falls for the third time

Station X
Jesus stripped of his garments

Station XI
Jesus is nailed to the cross

Station XII
Jesus dies on the cross

Station XIII
Jesus taken down from the cross

Station XIV
Jesus is laid in the sepulchre

koniec widocznych sekcji

I am not sure

EWC can be difficult

The biggest prize

LOVE EWC
AND SUPPORT

LOVE EWC AND SUPPORT

DZISIAJ WSPIERAM EDK

Brace yourself as it will hurt

Are you taking up the challenge of the Extreme Way of the Cross?

We call it extreme as you must walk a minimum of 40 km at night. By yourself or lost in reflection. Talking and picnicking are not allowed. It must hurt so that you get out of your comfort zone and tell God “I’m not here because I expect You to do something for me but because I want to meet You"

Beautiful people

See how it is on the EWC

Begin with the soul

Once upon a time

You take part in the EWC at your own risk. Having participated in it for several years we can tell you what’s useful to take with you, what you must have and what to pay attention to.

You must:

take food with you (food, drink, a thermos flask with hot tea, water), have energy-boosting food: chocolate, chocolate bars, halva; all packed in one backpack,
take the description of your route with you or a mobile device with the EWC app and the GPS trace of your route
take warm clothes, comfortable and waterproof shoes suitable for long hikes (in some places the route may be muddy and slippery),
have waterproof clothing, suitable in case of temperature changes and unfavourable weather conditions,
take a fully-charged mobile phone, a flashlight (preferably a headlamp), a small first-aid kit, reflective bands (or preferably a reflective vest),
check the local weather forecast,
inform your family that you are going,
arrange for someone to take you home in case you need to finish early; – remember that the EWC includes risk and that you acknowledge that unpredictable events may occur,
plan how you will get back home after the EXTREME WAY OF THE CROSS,
check carefully the course and nature of your route.

You should:

take a wood cross,
take hiking poles (such as Nordic walking poles),
have a map of the area where your EWC will take place.

Please bear in mind that the more you put in your backpack, the more you will have to carry and the more tired you will be. The maximum size of one group is 10 people. You may also set off on your own, with one other person or with a smaller group.

In most regions the EWC will take place on 22^nd March 2024. To check the date of the route you would like to select, please go to trasy.edk.org.pl/en

The Extreme Way of the Cross started in 2009. Its originator is Rev. Fr. Jacek WIOSNA Stryczek together with Męska Strona Rzeczywistości (Men's Side of Reality) community and the WIOSNA Association. The first EXTREME WAY OF THE CROSS took place in 2009 on the route from Krakow to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.

Remember that you are responsible for yourself on the Way. The EWC is not a pilgrimage, there are no meal breaks, no marking of the routes, no assistance that would facilitate walking the route. Neither first aid nor transport back home are provided.

Participation in the EWC is free of charge. Everyone sets off at their own risk. This is not a pilgrimage, therefore you don’t pay anything to walk the EWC. However, you can make a donation to the EWC to support the project.

Your desire to change is most important. The night route is just a tool. It is a time of reflection and solitude.

Reflections on the Stations of the Cross provide food for thought. You must not talk.

You can select your route on the EWC website and app. You can then follow the satnav route on your phone.

If you do so, take a power bank with you. You may also print out the description of the route.

You must follow the EWC requirements:

40 km at night;
alone or in a small group, no talking;
the EWC is not a fitness challenge, it is a route of reflection;
you can eat and drink, but you must not have picnics.