On the 29th of November in the afternoon the parish of Genlis (In Burgundy, near the city of Dijon, 330 kms to the south-east of Paris) witnessed an unprecedented event – it was visited by the Icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa on it peregrination from ocean to ocean. About 200 people gathered in the church. They came also from the neighbouring parishes.
The Icon was welcomed with the singing of the traditional Jasna Góra Appeal led by Fr. Raoul Mutin: I am by Your side, I remember, I am by Your side, I am staying up. We were trying to be “staying up” – vigilant - at the time which introduces Advent, vigilant in the intention of life and family, as this is the message of the peregrinating Icon, particularly important i the present day circumstances.
Both the Holy Mass, as well as the meditation of John Paul II`s words, confession and the Rosary were the time of grace for the congregation. This grace was felt all of them, who were moved to see the Mother of God off with their eyes when She was leaving for Strasbourg.
