Placed next to the figure of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain, towering over Rio de Janeiro, the Icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, pilgrimaging through the world with the intention of defending the civilization of life and love, was venerated by the Spiritual Adoption Movement overnight from Friday to Saturday (April 11/12, 2025).
The vigil was also attended by women who had received help at the Casa da Gestante Pró-vida in Nilópolis. These women gave moving testimonies. This is one of them:
Maria das Dores Hipólito Pires, known as Doris Hipólito, is a teacher, educator and founder of a project she started at Baixada Fluminense when she realized how many students were opting for abortions, after which they suffered greatly for many years. In 2007, she founded the first Casa do Amparo, where women with crisis pregnancies could stay. Today, there are three such shelters: in Nova Iguaçu, Belford Roxo and Nilópolis.
Ana Carolina recounted how, at the age of 17, in a moment of complete desperation, she turned to such a facility for help. It was unplanned, she was pregnant, already had two children and her financial situation was dramatic. After unsuccessful attempts at an abortion with herbs and an attempted suicide, her partner came up with the idea for her to seek support there.
She went and told her whole story to Doris, who simply asked her: - Do you even know where babies come from? And I said: 'No! I have no idea about time or sex - I don't know anything!' Then Doris went out for a moment and came back - said Ana Carolina. - When she came in through the door and saw what she was holding, I was really moved. The memory of that situation still moves me to this day. She brought a big package with a baby layette, all pink. She said: - Your baby is a girl and this girl will become your best friend! - continued Ana Carolina.
- From that moment on, my healing began. While living in the shelter, I received the catechism, got to know the Catholic Church, and received knowledge about conversion and inner healing – she emphasized.
- Later, Doris sent me to a Catholic community, where I spent another year living in purity, honoring and praising the Lord God and continuing my education – she added.
Nine years have passed today. Ana Carolina lives with her husband and children. She volunteers at Casa da Gestante because she wants to help other women. Her dream is to become a nurse, so that she can better support women in crisis pregnancies.
- Receiving the pilgrim Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa at the feet of Christ the Redeemer was a unique experience for us. We experienced moments of prayer, praise and adoration with the intention of protecting the lives of the weakest – the unborn, the sick and the elderly. We have been strengthened by faith and we realize that we alone are not able to win against the civilization of death, but only thanks to the maternal care of the Virgin Mary and the grace of God are we able to continue to defend human life from conception to natural death. Our Lady of Czestochowa, intercede and Obtain from your son the victory of the civilization of life and love!
Our Lady of Częstochowa, pray for us! - say the representatives of the Spiritual Adoption Movement.
