Our Lady of Jasna Gora and the City of Oaks
Here is a little information on the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, which has been the site of numerous pilgrims showing devotion to Our Lady.
“The focal point of the shrine is an authentic Icon of the Madonna, which was brought to our parish from Poland by members of the Polish community. The Icon was enshrined and consecrated by the Most Reverend F. Joseph Gossman, Bishop of Raleigh, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1987. Three years later, on December 12, 1990, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the icon was blessed by our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II at the Vatican during a private audience.”
On Wednesday nights at 7:30pm EST, the faithful have gathered for many years and without reserve to the church of St. Joseph in Raleigh, to pay their respects to Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and to ask the Black Madonna for numerous requests, favors and intercessions which (according to the author can be personally attested) never go unanswered or unheard.
Side-by-side with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is the Sacrament of Confession. The author, again from personal observation, can attest that over the years, the devotion to this Sacrament has become what helps the parish grow in holiness. When I say devotion to the Sacrament, I literally mean that you have to arrive an hour before Confessions begin to be heard, because the lines will be non-stop through the Holy Mass, even until the late of night (9:30pm and people might still be arriving to be absolved). The priests by that time are extremely tired, but are willing to hear your confession regardless of the time. Mercy is extremely important to these parishioners and is lived through both laity and priests.
In regard to the sense of devotion that you feel from this parish and its parishioners, you get a sense of heroic virtue from every single priest that walks through the doors at St. Joseph. None of these priests are living their vocation lukewarm and, if they happen to be too tired to assist you, will re-direct you to the proper individual(s) who can assist you best (i.e., priest for the Sacraments). Time will only tell, but I believe we have living saints (both laity and clergy) walking the parish grounds who would acknowledge themselves the worst of sinners (in great humility, I may add).
So, if you are near Raleigh at any point, please do make a stop at any time to simply pray or to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
You will not be disappointed…
