September 2, Labor Day, in the United States, is a national holiday that marks the end of summer. It often means that the start of school year is just around the corner. It's a last time to have some fun before work begins in earnest. It's not usually a time that people think of going to church to pray.
Despite that, about a hundred people came to St. John the Evangelist Church in Warrenton, Virginia for a 7:00 P.M. Mass, rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Warrenton is the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains. The town was named after Joseph Warren, a doctor who became a revolutionary and later a general. General Warren was killed at the Battle of Breed's Hill outside the City of Boston in the early days of the American Revolution. Warrenton was also the home of Confederate hero Colonel John Mosby known for his lightning quick raids and ability to elude Union Troops.
Fr. Jim Gould, the Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church, is a good friend and former member of the Board of Directors of Human Life International (HLI). He honored Our Lady by concelebrating the Mass that evening with Father Peter West - Vice President For Missions of HLI. Fr. Gould joined with about one hundred other people who skipped they're cook outs and parties to come to Mass to pray, to learn more about icons and to honor Our Lady of Czestochowa. The people called on Our Lady crush the power of Satan, to pray for our country and defend life, marriage and family throughout the world.
The Knights of Columbus, again, provided an honor guard. The Knights have been incredibly supportive of the peregrination and were present in every event scheduled in Virginia. After Mass, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. The congregation prayed the rosary as each person came forward to venerate the icon of Our Lady. Benediction was given and everyone processed out singing Immaculate Mary.
At the end of the night, those who attended were very happy with their choice to spend an evening in prayer with Jesus and Mary. One lady said "This beats a cook out!".