Time has come for the transfer of the pilgrim icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa between France and Spain, which took place on December 15. On behalf of the international committee Lech Kowalewski went to Spaini.
His task was also to do a technical check on the "Life Mobil" and feretory in which the icon travels and make repairs as necessary on this long journey. It was the sixth checking and repair made on the pilgrimage route.
The day before the pilgrimage, on December 14 in Madrid, he was given an audience with Bishop Juan Antonio Reig, Ordinary of the Diocese of Alcalá de Henares, who is holding the Presidency of the Council for the Family and Pro-Life work of the Spanish Bishops. Audience was the culmination of efforts of the international committee to gain the support for the pilgrimage of the Spanish Bishops. Bishop Reig is very much involved in protection of human life according to the teachings of John Paul II. He strongly supported the idea of pilgrimage "From Ocean to Ocean" and promised extensive help. It was decided that the pilgrimage of Czestochowa icon in Spain will be carried out by local pro-life movements and the Diocesan structures of Pastoral Care for Life and Families.
Then, together with the coordinator of pilgrimage in Spain Alicia Lottore Canizares, they went together to meet the Mother of God, who had just finishedher journey through France. Transfer took place on 15 December in the French city of Bayonne, on the border of Spain. Our Lady crossed the border and entered the Spanish Basque country, to Irun.
In response to great Spanish pro-life requests for changes to the program of the pilgrimage. Our Lady will stay longer as a guest of the Spanish, and will be transferred to the Portuguese on March 2. 2013.