With these words, the Archbishop Sławoj Leszek Głódź, the Metropolitan Bishop of Gdańsk, greeted the peregrinating Icon of Czestochowa "from Ocean to Ocean" in defense of life at the Cathedral of Oliwa. He began the prayers with the renewal of the "Act of Entrustment" and presided over the solemn Mass concelebrated by Archbishop Emeritus, Tadeusz Gocłowski, as well as fifteen priests of the Diocese of Gdansk.
The Icon of Czestochowa, traveling across the world, was placed high on a podium on the side of the altar. The Navy brass orchestra performed, as well as the famous cathedral organ. The Archbishop remarked that the East and the West has joined together in Defense of Life. He also spoke of the great need to protect human life, which is under such great threat today. He noted that "the goad of death is sin." Mary is without sin and is the Mother of Life who leads to Christ. The Archbishop also remarked that the patron Saint of the day is St. Maximilian Kolbe, who offered up his life for another man. As the Archbishop emphasized that, "God's Providence had made it possible for us to have had the opportunity to join in this great work for the protection of the life of the unborn on the Eve of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary."
The Cathedral of Oliwa, filled to the brims; tears in those praying; the faithful kneeling before the Icon; the faithful gathered touching Her image; those touching their rosaries and the loud singing of hymns; but most of all, the large crowds of the faithful receiving Holy Communion - those were all signs of the love the Gdansk faithful have for the Blessed Mother Mary.
After the celebration of the Mass, late in the evening, the Icon departed in its Life Mobile for Wejherowo for the festivities related to the Solemnity of the Assumption, along with its indulgences, at the church of the Franciscan Fathers and for the procession at Calvary of Wejherowo.