Pope John Paul II, a native of Poland, was a fervent devotee of the Virgin Mary and of her icon at Częstochowa. As pope, he made pilgrimages to pray before the Black Madonna in 1979, 1983, 1991, and 1997. In 1991, he held his Sixth World Youth Day at Czetochowa, which was attended by 350,000 young people from across Europe.
Other popes have honored the "Queen of Poland" as well. Pope Clement XI officially recognized the miraculous nature of the image in 1717 and in 1925 Pope Pius XI designated May 3 a feast day in her honor.
So, today is a Feast day of our patroness "Our Lady of Czestochowa!"
This picture of MaryBeth and myself was taken in Maryland where we went to greet her upon landing in the United States on her "Ocean to Ocean" Tour.
Today is also the anniversary of the death of John Cardinal O'Connor of whom I will always be grateful for hearing my voice
as someone who had an abortion and for keeping his promise to me of ministering to those suffering from a past abortion.
Without his support the "Entering Canaan"ministry may not have existed so, be sure to throw up a few prayers for him today!
It is hard to believe it is sixteen years! Thank you Cardinal!
Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion 
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