Hundreds to Venerate Renowned Religious Icon in Greensboro, NC
In a rare traditional religious ceremony, hundreds of Catholics are expected to take part in welcoming the “Black Madonna,” and icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church the weekend of December 28th and 29th.
The icon, a replica of the famous “Black Madonna” of Czestochowa, has traveled from the Pacific coast of Russia, throughout Europe, racking up over 40,000 miles of travel while being seen by millions of Catholic and Orthodox faithful.
The Ocean to Ocean pilgrimage, an unprecedented effort for the international pro-life movement, is being presented by Human Life International, the world’s largest grassroots pro-life organization, whose European leaders launched the pilgrimage in the summer of 2012. Eventually, the icon will continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere before returning to Poland, where it was “written” and blessed by the ordinary of Czestochowa.
“This pilgrimage is intended to awaken the faithful about the urgency of defending life from the moment of conception,” said Father Peter West, Vice President of HLI and chairman of the pilgrimage committee. “Hundreds of thousands, in venerating the image, have recommitted to restoring a Culture of Life, while hosting discussions, lectures and contests around the visitation of the icon. Truly, our Blessed Mother, as Mediatrix of all grace, is interceding on our behalf with her Son, the Lord of Life, and we will see a return to respect for life and family.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity for area Catholics and others who believe in the sanctity of Life to come together in faith and prayer for our nation for the restoration of the protection of God’s precious gift of life from conception to natural death.
In addition to the welcoming of the icon on prior to the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday, December the 28th, 2013 at St. Paul’s, Fr. Peter West, Vice President for Missions of Human Life International, will give a special presentation during a period Eucharistic Adoration following the Sunday 8:15a.m. Mass on December the 29th, 2013.
This event is free and open to the public. Voluntary donations to support the pilgrimage will be requested. For photos and more information on Human Life International’s Ocean to Ocean pilgrimage, visit www.hli.org/oceantoocean.
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