Our Lady of Częstochowa is a beloved image of Mary revered by Polish Catholics. St. Hyacinth Basilica hosted a coronation of that parish’s icon during a Mass and blessing ceremony with Cardinal George on Aug. 31. The gold crowns, which were affixed to the painted image, were fashioned from jewelry donated by parishioners. Polish Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz also blessed the new crowns during a recent pastoral visit to Chicago.
Children from the Polish group “Holni” sing as an icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa is carried in before the start of Mass with Cardinal George to celebrate the coronation of the icon and feast day of Our Lady of Częstochowa at St. Hyacinth Basilica, 3636 W. Wolfram St., Chicago on Aug. 31.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World