(PRWEB) June 13, 2014 -- The magnificent five foot image of Our Lady of Czestochowa has traveled over 40 thousand miles, visiting 24 countries, 75 cathedrals and 60 Orthodox churches in over 400 cities across the globe. The precious image has been venerated by hundreds of thousands since its journey began in 2012 when a group of Catholic and Orthodox faithful began a global campaign in support of life and family under the patronage of Our Lady of Czestochowa, known to many as the “Black Madonna”. The image, a painted replica of the original Our Lady of Czestochowa in Poland, is being taken from city to city as a symbol of love, life and hope.
Applause broke out and comments of genuine appreciation and awe could be heard as the truck transporting and displaying the image of Our Lady approached. Together with Father David, the priest accompanying the traveling Madonna, Everest Academy students, staff and faculty were led in prayers for their families, closing with a consecration prayer to our Blessed Mother.
This special image of Mary arrived to Everest Academy around 12:00pm, a fitting time given that each day at noon, students and staff pause to take a moment to pray the Angelus, a prayer saluting Mary as the mother of God.
Though a tradition for all students in schools of the Legionaries of Christ to make an annual pilgrimage to a shrine of Our Lady, this year only some of the classes were able to visit the designated shrine here in Lemont. As Ms. Christine Gamache, principal at Everest Academy, reflected on this special visit of the Image of our Lady of Czestochowa, she realized that none of the students missed out after all since the Blessed Mother came to them. “The visit from our lady of Czestochowa allowed us to fulfill our tradition to our beloved Mother Mary as she met us right here at school so that our students would not miss out on the graces God has for each one. This was an amazing gift! Our schools and our families worldwide are entrusted to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I do think her visit was very timely.” She then went on to thank Mrs Jane Bleka, grandmother of five Everest students, who was instrumental in bringing the traveling Madonna to the school. “It was truly special that this worked out and was possible.”
Everest Academy is an independent Roman Catholic school in Lemont educating children from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The teachers and staff are dedicated to forming the whole child by providing the highest level of academics, by building strong character, and by preparing generous leaders ready to serve the community. To learn more about Everest Academy’s approach to education, please contact KC Wollenberg at 630-243-1995 or visit http://www.everestadvantage.org.
KC Wollenberg, Everest Academy, +1 630-243-1995 Ext: 7007, [email protected]
Share this article