On Monday, November 5, Our Lady of Czestochowa arrived in London. After circling the city center, She reached the Cathedral Church of Westminster, which is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ and was designed in the Early Christian Byzantine style at the end of the 19th century.
The Knights of Columba took on the responsibility of providing protection for Our Blessed Mother during her visit through all of Great Britain. At each place of visit, several Knights are awaiting, in order to assure Our Lady a safe escort and carry the feretory.
The solemn Holy Mass in the intention for the memory of the unborn and the victims of abortion was celebrated by the diocesan suffragan of the Westminster Archdiocese – Most Reverend, Bishop Alan Stephen Hopes. He gave a homily, strongly emphasizing the issues related to the necessity of the protection of human life. (The original text of the homily in English can be found on the British version of our website, under "pro-life sermons").
The gigantic Westminster Cathedral was filled to the brims with pilgrims, who wanted to venerate Our Lady in the Icon of Czestochowa. Crowds this size have not been seen here for quite a while now, especially the ones motivated by the intention for the defense of human life. People were even kneeling in the entrance itself.
Large numbers of the Polish faithful participated in the celebrations in the Westminster Cathedral – they greeted their Queen with great joy. They even managed to sing Polish Marian songs. "It was beautiful and in great atmosphere. Our Mother is truly the Queen of the entire world," they commented after the solemnity.
The pro-lifers, who are coordinating the pilgrimage, determined that England, especially London, is currently the center of the central command of programs promoting the culture of death. The world headquarters of the International Planned Parenthood have their location here, in London. The visit of the Mother of God, the Queen of Peace, defending human life has great significance in this place.