Liveliness best describes the scene of arrival for the pilgrim icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The state derived its name from the Native Otoe words Ñí Brásge, and homesteaders flocked there during the California Gold Rush era. Nebraska’s capital, then known as the Village of Lancaster, changed to Lincoln after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
The Black Madonna arrived in the historic city of Lincoln on June 25th after her drive from Overland Park, Kansas. Vigilant pro-lifers, including State Director for the Bishop’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities Greg Schleppenbach and
Fr. Jonathan Haschke, the associate pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, planned a prayer vigil at the local Planned Parenthood abortion mill. These faithful Catholics gave witness to the sanctity of life as Father Peter West led the Rosary to pray for an end to abortion.
Next was St. Joseph’s Parish, where an energetic crowd awaited Our Lady of Czestochowa’s arrival before celebrating Mass and praying the Rosary.
Celebrating Mass the following morning at St. Joseph’s, Father West touched on various points of iconography, and some of the particularly beautiful language of the Black Madonna, including the Book of Life held by the Infant Jesus.
This book symbolizes the Church’s belief that Jesus will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. Discussing the From Ocean to Ocean Campaign in Defense of Life, Father West told the congregation that some fruits of Our Lady’s intercession give us continued confidence that our prayers are being heard: a saved baby in Kansas City, the recent closing of an abortion mill in Corpus Christi, and the role of the Black Madonna in securing Saint Pope John Paul II’s visit to Poland, which led to the fall of the Soviet Union.
As we continue the From Ocean to Ocean pilgrimage across America, we thank God for the zeal of the priests and parishioners of St. Joseph’s Church which sustains us to our next destination with the Black Madonna.