MADISON — The pilgrim icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa (also known as the Black Madonna), a replica of the original icon found in the Jasna Gora monastery in Poland, was in Madison recently as part of an historic pilgrimage in the movement to build a culture of life.
On June 19, the Black Madonna was on display on the sidewalk outside of the Planned Parenthood Clinic on Orin Rd. for an afternoon prayer vigil and at an evening Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona.
Visit by Fr. Peter West
Fr. Peter West joined Human Life International (HLI) as the vice president for missions in the fall of 2011. He is one of three people authorized to travel with the icon.
Father West said that the attendance at the Planned Parenthood Clinic really stood out for him. “There were so many people there,” he said. “We arrived a little later than expected, and they were still there, waiting for us.
“We said a Rosary together and then brought the icon to the Women’s Care Center. It was wonderful. And having that center there, across the street like that, that really offers options.”
He noted that the Black Madonna is credited with numerous miracles among those that she visited and on behalf of those who prayed for her protection and intercession.
Closing of abortion centers
Father West said that he hopes to see abortion centers close in Madison like they have in Corpus Christi, Texas. Pro-lifers credit the Mother of God for this triumph of life over the culture of death.
Corpus Christi had a special celebration of its feast day this year. For the first time in 37 years, there are no centers doing abortions. Dr. Eduardo Aquino’s abortion practice has now closed there. At one time, there were three places that did abortions and nine doctors doing the procedure in this city of over 300,000 people.
The pilgrim icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa made a visit to Corpus Christi earlier this year and was brought by a large group of pilgrims and Father West for a special prayer outside Dr. Aquino’s clinic during the hours in which abortions were performed.
Over 10 years ago, the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Guadalupe came to Corpus Christi, and the faithful prayed with her outside another abortion clinic that soon afterwards also closed its doors.
Dr. Francette Meaney, who has led pro-life efforts in Corpus Christi for almost four decades, rejoiced and said, “We thank Mother Mary in her icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa for this blessing. Dr. Aquino performed 2,000 abortions a year here, and now the city of the Body of Christ will be a place where all children have a chance to have a birthday.”
Historical perspective
The Black Madonna is credited with saving Constantinople in a critical battle with the Saracens after its display on the walls of the city.
Since the icon was brought to Poland, Our Lady has interceded multiple times for the Polish people. For example, in May 1979, many faithful prayed continuous Rosaries for the intention that the Communist Polish government would relax its restrictions on the visit of Pope John Paul II to his native land.
On May 7, 1979, the Polish government unexpectedly relented and dropped the major obstacles preventing the pope’s visit. We know now of the fire that St. Pope John Paul lit with his bold proclamation of the Gospel “behind enemy lines” and how large a role he played in the most remarkable peaceful revolution of the 20th century, eventually even bringing down Communism in Poland and the Soviet Union.
These and similar historic events testify to the all-too-often forgotten power of prayer — particularly in asking for the intercession of the Blessed Mother to deliver the faithful from problems that seem too overwhelming for any practical human solution.
Venerating images of Mary
The icon — a magnificent replica of the original in the Monastery of Jasna Góra in Poland, and per tradition liturgically united with the original by touching it to the original — was blessed in a special ceremony by the archbishop of Czestochowa. The archbishop of Cracow made a special act of entrustment to the cause of the defense of life and family to Our Lady of Czestochowa.
Their stories of miracles and intercessions are not often heard in the West, as icons are particularly venerated in the East. An icon, as opposed to paintings, sculptures, or other artistic depictions of persons, is considered to be almost a living presence of the person or deity who is venerated. They are seen as a window with a view of a greater truth, rather than simply a fine object of art.
Ocean to Ocean Campaign
The icon of the Black Madonna’s extensive voyage began in the summer of 2012 after a meeting of Catholic and Orthodox pro-life leaders in Europe. Starting in Vladivostok, Russia, the Ocean to Ocean Campaign has received the support and blessings of numerous bishops, as well as Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church, and is circling the globe in defense of life.
The HLI-sponsored “Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage in Defense of Life” is expected to visit over 180 Catholic and Orthodox churches, dozens of abortion clinics, and other locations in North America before continuing to Central and South America.
To learn more about the Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage or to receive prayer cards touched to the pilgrim icon, contact HLI at www.hli.org/oceantoocean