The decline of moral and family values, the rise of relativism and the visible assaults by the media and our own government on people of faith are heavy burdens. Some might feel, with good reason, that our culture has already collapsed under the weight of moral decay. But hope remains, and help is on the way.
Preparations are underway for the second stage of the pilgrimage "From Ocean to Ocean" in America, which will begin in August this year. This time it will be a route from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific Ocean. The effort to carry out the pilgrimage is on the shoulders of Human Life International (HLI), an international organization defending life and the family founded by the world-famous Benedictine late. Father Paul Marx.
The pilgrim icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa visited the Parish of S. Julião da Barra, in Lisbon, from the 29th of April till the 5th of May, Mother’s Day in Portugal.
The program included various moments of prayer and veneration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, having as special highlights the Via Matris and the Taizé prayer on April 29, as well as the recitation of the Rosary and the Marian Crown (Seven Joys of the Virgin) on May 1. On the following day, there was a conference with the theme: “The representations of Mary in Eastern Art (Marian Icons)”. On May 4th, there was 24 hours perpetual adoration and the celebration of the First Saturday’s devotion, as it was requested by Our Lady in Fatima.
The pilgrim Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa is still in Portugal waiting to travel to the USA. In the meantime, the Orthodox Church of Russia in Portugal has requested to have Our Lady of Czestochowa visiting some of their communities. This was providential and shows that the Virgin Mary wants to be with all of us!
The Orthodox priest, Father Ioan Gherbovetchi, who had already welcomed the Icon in the South of Portugal, organized also a visit to other parishes in Setúbal, Sines and Cascais, from the 18th to the 21st April. Our Lady was welcomed and venerated with beautiful liturgies and prayers were offered also for the defense of Life.
On Thursday, April 25 2013 at 10 am. in Sala Rycerska (The knights` hall) at Jasna Góra a photo-exhibition “From Ocean to Ocean – the first stage of the peregrination of the copy of the Icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa across the world in defence of life” was opened.
- Our Lady of Czestochowa stood on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean
- CZESTOCHOWA ICON ALREADY IN FATIMA
- In Algarve Our Lady of Czestochowa unites Catholics and Orthodox
- Our Lady of Czestochowa on pilgrimage to Algarve, South of Portugal
- Pray for life in Walsingham on Monday, 8th April
- World Youth Day celebrated with Our Lady of Czestochowa
- Virgin of Czestochowa at The National Shrine of Christ The King
- Our Lady was received in the association “Ajuda De Berço”
- Peregrination “From Ocean to Ocean” reached Odivelas, Lisbon
- Our Lady of Czestochowa in the north of Portugal