The worldwide pilgrimage of the traditional Christian icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, also known as the Black Madonna, is ending its U.S. pilgrimage in the Diocese of Phoenix. Local Catholics have opportunities daily through Nov. 1 to venerate it.
The pilgrimage is part of Human Life International’s historic From Ocean to Ocean Campaign in Defense of Life. The organization has affiliates and partners in more than 80 nations.
[quote_box_right]
Pilgrimage of Black Madonna
5:30 p.m. Mass with veneration until 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, Flagstaff
noon-1:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at 40 Days for Life, Flagstaff
5 and 7 p.m. Masses Oct. 25-26 at St. Joseph the Worker, Williams
8 and 10 a.m. Masses Oct. 26 at St. Anne Mission, Ash Fork
8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Masses Oct. 27 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Tempe
noon-3 p.m. Oct. 27 at 40 Days for Life, Tempe
5 p.m. Mass Oct. 30 at Maggie’s Place, Phoenix. Veneration until 8 p.m.
Oct. 31 40 Days for Life, Chandler
4 p.m. arrival, 6 p.m. Mass Nov. 1 at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, Phoenix. Icon departs 3 p.m. Nov. 2.
Learn more about the history of the Black Madonna and the first ever worldwide pilgrimage with a sacred icon, launched for the protection of the most vulnerable of persons at the beginning and end of life, at HLI’s coverage of the U.S. pilgrimage.[/quote_box_right]Catholics in the Diocese of Phoenix can see the icon Oct. 24-25 in Flagstaff and during evening Masses Oct. 25 at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Williams before it moves to Ash Fork for morning Masses Oct. 26. It spends all day Oct. 27 in Tempe before spending three days in the Diocese of Tucson.
The image returns to the Diocese of Phoenix Oct. 30 for Mass and veneration at the Fiat House of Maggie’s Place. Human Life International is the world’s largest grassroots pro-life and pro-family organization.
The image of the Black Madonna will bear witness at the 40 Days for Life site in Chandler Oct. 31 and conclude its U.S. tour Nov. 1 at Our Lady of Czestochowa, a Polish parish in Phoenix. The icon arrives at 4 p.m. with Mass and 6 p.m. The image will remain there until 3 p.m. Nov. 2. Hundreds of Catholic faithful are expected to attend the culminating ceremony of HLI’s custodianship of From Ocean to Ocean Campaign in Defense of Life.
Fr. Peter West, HLI’s vice president for missions and current custodian of the Pilgrim Icon of Czestochowa, will hand over custodianship of the treasured Christian icon to Fr. James Heyd, a Chicago priest and well-known advocate for life and family at a special outdoor Mass presided over by Dominican Father Jacek Buda.
“Catholics and Orthodox Christians, particularly of Polish or other Eastern European descent, have long had a great devotion to the Black Madonna, and they know her history of awe-inspiring miracles,” Fr. West said in a statement. “But I can say for sure that over the last 14 months, we have seen a great growth in many other Christian communities of devotion to the Mother of Jesus. We pray that the Black Madonna will bring many graces to the Dioceses of Phoenix and Tucson, and inspire an increased devotion and faith, including a faith that is active in the defense of all life.”
He also vowed continued prayers for Fr. Heyd and future custodians around the world who join in the historic campaign in defense of the unborn and most vulnerable brothers and sisters in Christ.
[quote_box_center]
