Our sweep of California with the Pilgrim Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa led us next to Central California on August 2. Despite the summer heat, a large crowd of 250 people welcomed the Black Madonna to St. Joachim Church in Madera with a jubilant procession around the block and into the church.
Ten English and Spanish Masses, were celebrated that weekend with presentations about the historic Ocean to Ocean Campaign in Defense of Life.
The marathon of activity, planned by the faithful in this parish located in the Diocese of Fresno, witnesses to strong pro-life activism that supports the Gospel of Life message of Our Lady of Czestochowa. 
One of the weekend’s highlights was a prayer vigil to end abortion at Madera’s Planned Parenthood. Esperanza de Vida, a pro-life organization supported by many of St. Joachim’s parishioners, sponsored the event. Over 130 people, including Father Gustavo Lopez, OSJ, and Father John Warburton, OSJ, of St. Joachim, prayed for Our Lady’s intercessions on behalf of the unborn.