The short drive to St. Joseph’s Church resulted in another successful turnout of pro-life parishioners who showed immense devotion to Our Lady of Czestochowa. I concelebrated the evening Mass with Father Mark Wagner, spoke about the historic pro-life Ocean to Ocean campaign, led the Rosary, and provided ample time for veneration afterwards.
One of our highlights in Southern California was our visit to Tehachapi, a small retreat town of about 14,000 residents. We brought the Black Madonna to the restful monastery of the Norbertine Canonesses of the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph. 
When we arrived, we placed the pilgrim icon in the sanctuary of the monastery’s chapel. What joy to concelebrate Mass with Father Martin Benzoni, O. Praem., confrere for these delightful nuns, who were so impressed with the Ocean to Ocean Campaign in Defense of Life that they summarized our visit in their magazine FirstFruits! I gave an explanation about icons and the historical significance of Our Lady of Czestochowa to defend life from conception to natural death. Assuring us of their prayers, the nuns bade farewell to the Black Madonna as we prepared for our next pilgrimage stops in southern California.
