On Sunday, August 19th, at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon, the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, had arrived at the Shrine of Blessed Father Jerzy Popieluszko in Warsaw's Zoliborz. She came in Her glass "Life Mobile," accompanied by the bikers from the "Katyn Rally". At the tomb of Fr. Jerzy, the Icon was presented by the Orthodox priests from the parish of St. John Klimak into the hands of Monsignor Tadeusz Bożełko, the custodian of the shrine.
Next, the two priests from both parishes – representing both the Catholic and the Orthodox Church - brought the Icon and touched it to the grave of Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko. It was a kiss of love, from a caring mother to her beloved, martyred son.
The priests carried the Icon in a procession around the church, afterwards setting it on a platform surrounded by beautiful flowers near the altar. Our Lady was welcomed by the custodian of the shrine, Father T. Bożełko. The first to kiss the Icon were the Orthodox clergy, after which they respectfully departed, saying their goodbyes.
The pastor announced the opening of an exhibit showing the value of life of disabled children. The purpose of the exhibit is to make people sensitive to eugenic abortion, which in Poland is currently legally permitted. The detection of disease in a prenatal child is considered a justification and a reason for his/her killing before birth. The killing of disabled children in utero, being currently allowed and performed in Warsaw, is a mass crime against the infirm and helpless humans,- all in the name of convenience. It also affects the attitude of the entire society towards the sick and the disabled, especially those with the Down Syndrome. Our Blessed Mother emphasizes that "everyone has the right to life, also a disabled child!"
Afterwards, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy began, followed by individual prayers during which everyone could venerate and honor the Mother of God. As everywhere else, many people gathered for this event, event though it was the middle of the day on a Sunday, during the summer vacation season. During Our Lady's stay at the Shrine of Zoliborz, several Masses were celebrated. Veneration lasted continuously throughout the night. People were coming up close; they knelt in prayer to touch the Icon, and kissing Her, they were touching their medals, rosaries and other images to the Icon.
Our Lady in the Icon of Czestochowa will remain in the parish of St. Stanislaus Kostka close to the Blessed Father Jerzy until Monday, where, after a farewell ceremony at around 17:00 hours (5:00 p.m.), She will travel across the Vistula River to St. Florian Cathedral in the Diocese of Warsaw-Prague.