On the 13th of March, around 4:00 pm, the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa arrived at the Cathedral of Viana do Castelo, built in the 15th century. She was taken in procession into the church while the bells were solemnly ringing.
After the entrance song, Magnificat and the incensing, the parish priest, Fr. Armando Rodrigues Dias, welcomed the Virgin Mary with a prayer of thanksgiving and praise for Her maternal presence. He asked for her intercession for the needs of the Church and concretely for the election of the Holy Father. The coincidence of the visit of Our Lady and the election of our dear Pope Francis was very comforting to all. There was also the prayer for life and for all men and women, especially the weakest and poorest of the whole world.
Mary accompanies us with Her testimony of fidelity, wisdom and promise to God.
Such maternal presence brought to us the memory of Blessed John Paul II.
After this, Nuno Prazeres shared with the assembly some main ideas on the Person and Mission of the Virgin Mary and the meaning of the Icon of Czestochowa.
Then, the Most Blessed Sacrament was exposed and Vespers were prayed. After some time of silence, there was the prayer of the Rosary for Life and Holy Mass. Many people participated during all these moments, but especially during Holy Mass.
The Icon will stay in this diocese until Sunday, March 17.