By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami
DOYLESTOWN, Pennsylvania | Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached the homily and crowned the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa in her Doylestown, Pennsylvania, shrine this weekend. The Aug. 25 celebration coincided with the feast of Poland's patroness.
The icon was signed by Pope John Paul II in 1980, and the crowns were recently blessed by Pope Francis in Rome. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia was the main celebrant of the Mass, which was attended by thousands of faithful from throughout the northeastern U.S. and beyond.
Archbishop Wenski's father was a first-generation Polish immigrant who married another Polish Catholic. The archbishop regularly travels to the "American Czestochowa" and attends the annual pilgrimage to the shrine at Doylestown.
Above is video of the Aug. 25 event. The archbishop's homily — in Polish, English and Creole — starts at the 30-minute mark. The coronation starts at the 50-minute mark.
Photographer: Instagram @thomaswenski
Archbishop Thomas Wenski holds up the crown, blessed by Pope Francis, before placing it on the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Poland's patroness, during Mass Aug. 25 at her shrine in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The icon was signed by Pope John Paul II in 1980.
Photographer: Instagram @thomaswenski
Archbishop Thomas Wenski places a crown, blessed by Pope Francis, on the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Poland's patroness, during Mass Aug. 25 at her shrine in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The icon was signed by Pope John Paul II in 1980.
