The Ash Wednesday on February 13th had a special meaning for the Madrid Polish community. It was proceeded by an all-night vigil in the intention of the protection of life before the Icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, which is peregrinating “From Ocean to Ocean” across the world in the defence of the civilisation of life. It was attended by many volunteers of the World Youth Day in Madrid, who have good memories of Polish pilgrims.
In the evening on Tuesday, February 12th the Icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa arrived in the parish of St. Valentine and Casimir, where Polish people gather every Sunday.
The solemn Holy Mass, in Spanish and Polish, was presided over by bishop`s vicar, father Alfonso Lozano, and celebrated by the priests from Spain, Poland and Cameroon. In his homily father Lozano talked about the history of the Czestochowa Icon and its significance for the Church in Poland. He also presented the idea and the story of the peregrination “From Ocean to Ocean”. He stressed that in the context of the presently dominating culture it is very important to be ardently involved in the defense of human life from the moment of conception till the natural death. “Disabled children also have a right to be born safely despite the illness they have been diagnosed with.” Father Lozano pointed out.