From July 26 to August 5 Toronto Catholics brought the Missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to 12 churches scattered throughout the Toronto Archdiocese, form Toronto to Brampton and as far North as Phelpston.
Most services entailed Mass, a Holy Hour and a talk by Peter Yelovich, Guardian of the image during this Canadian visit. They were very well attended, with most churches filled to the last seat. Priests were continuously occupied with hearing confessions throughout this period and sometimes on one occasion even till well after midnight.
Promise
The impetus for the Visitation of the Missionary Image now traveling all over the Americas, is a twofold promise made by Our Lady to a man in the United States who passed it on to the Mexican Bishop’s Conference:
1. “[the Missionary Image]]being a means I have chosen to convert millions of my children to my Son Jesus,” and
2. “I want you to immediately place your entire pro-life force and efforts under my Banner as Your Lady of Guadalupe…Together, My dear children, we will end the horrible evil of abortion. I will help you stop abortions. There will be no exceptions. Together we will bring about a new era of protecting all human life, that is, each person, from conception to natural death.”
One of the high points of the Toronto visitation was the August 1 Rosary for Life Mass and Walk. With an honour guard of 30 Knights of Columbus, followed by 12 standards portraying the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Missionary Image was carried in procession into St. Basil’s Church downtown Toronto.
Following Mass, a two and a half hour penitential Rosary procession of 600 people passed by three of the four Toronto freestanding abortuaries with the people reciting the prayer of exorcism as holy water was sprinkled on the killing centers.
