After taking the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa from the Parish of Our Lady of the Dawn, the next visit was the Parish of Blessed Virgin Health of the Sick, where Father Mario Oliva as a parish priest on Friday September 13 welcomed Her.
While the Icon was placed near the main altar, songs were sung to Mary, and then the Holy Rosary was recited for the intention of the unborn.
Following that, the pilgrimage coordinator in Guayaquil gave an explanation of the importance of this pilgrimage of Our Lady who travels the world with a prolife message, precisely at this time when issues that concern the legalization of abortion are debated.
Then Holy Mass was offered. The saint patron of the day was Saint John Chrysostom, and during the homily, Fr. Mario recalled that he was a staunch defender of the perpetual virginity of Mary. He also recalled that this Icon was very dear to the Holy Father St. John Paul II and that he prayed before Our lady whenever he needed.
In a statement from the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, Mons. Cabrera, urged all pastors, religious communities, families, lay movements, social and political organizations to fight in defense of both lives. “As citizens and believers, we are called to unite to fight against the claim to legalize abortion in our country. This task will be simpler if we invoke the wisdom and strength of God for legislators who must make great decisions in favor of life”, he said.
For that reason, Fr. Mario had planned different activities the next day. First, the Holy Mass was offered at 9:30 in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede so that the legalization of abortion in Ecuador is not approved, then a meditation at 10 am and then at 3 pm a penitential act.
The Icon was until the first Sunday Mass, as it was planned to arrive at the next parish before 12 o'clock Mass of that day.