They greeted the Blessed Mother with the Polish song "Black Madonna," known all over the world and translated into many languages. This time, it was sung in German. Our Blessed Mother, in the Icon of Czestochowa, arrived at the Church of Immaculate Conception in Klagenfurt on Saturday afternoon, September 29th.
This church is a very unique place, located near the monastery of the Capuchin Friars Minor, which has already existed for the past 350 years. People come here from the desire of their hearts, since this monastery is not affiliated with any parish. Multitudes arrive here - some even from far away - to go to Confession and to participate in the Holy Mass. There are continuous lines to the confessionals and an estimated sixty thousand communicants are distributed annually. Most of the Austrian parishes cannot boast of such frequency of visitors. The Fathers and the Brothers also minister at the local hospital. On the thirteenth of every month, Holy Masses are offered here in the intention for the defense of life.
The Holy Liturgy of the Mass was led by Rev. Mariusz Polcyn, and the homily was given by Deacon Guardian, Br. Zbigniew Zaba. Relating about the history and the significance of the Czestochowa Icon, he also gave a personal testimony about Our Lady's presence, in this very Icon, in his own life and that of his family. He emphasized the fact that it is a great honor that Our Blessed Mother came to visit on the Feast of the Holy Archangels; St. Raphael, St. Gabriel, and St. Michael. Moreover, this took place on a Saturday, a day dedicated to Mary. The homilist also acknowledged the fact that this is an exceptional date for him, since it is also his birthday.
After a several-hour long veneration, a large group of the faithful escorted Our Blessed Mother along the streets of the city center in a procession to the cathedral. Some rain fell in the afternoon, so doubt crept in as to whether the procession would take place. However, Br. Zbigniew courageously decided that regardless of the weather, Our Lady would have to be escorted. "As a matter of fact," as soon as the procession left the church, the rain stopped, which became the cause for a joke that Our Lady wanted to take a walk [outside], - after all, it is She who reigns here.