National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa celebrates 50 years

Published: 2005-07-19

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CNS) -- Polish-American Catholics celebrated their faith with thousands of other pilgrims June 26 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown. The occasion marked 50 years since Pauline Father Michael M. Zembrzuski dedicated an old Bucks County barn-turned-chapel to Our Lady of Czestochowa. Now a massive complex, the shrine attracts nearly a million people every year from across the U.S. and Canada. In a procession led by 50 members of the Knights of Columbus -- one Knight for each year of the shrine's existence -- 120 priests from the United States, Poland and Rome surrounded an outdoor altar constructed on the steps of the shrine church. Polish Cardinals Jozef Glemp of Warsaw and Henryk Gulbinowicz of Wroclaw joined Cardinals Justin Rigali of Philadelphia and Adam J. Maida of Detroit in celebrating a Mass of thanksgiving.

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