This year on the 26th of August we will celebrate the Coronation of the Icon of Our Lady of Mercy that hangs in the Shrine Church.
To understand the significance of this a little history is needed. The Icon in the Church is a True Replica of the Black Madonna Icon that is in the Jasna Gora monastery at Czestochowa. The Pauline Fathers, who are the custodians of the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, have also been custodians of the Icon at Czestochowa since 1382. In 1717 the Icon was solemnly and liturgically crowned. This is was historic since it was the first liturgical coronation, with papal approval, of an image of Our Lady outside of Rome. (The first in Rome was in 1631). Pope Clement XI approved this coronation and offered the Icon a Crown at the request of Fr Constantine Moszynski, the provincial of the Polish Province of the Order of St Paul the First Hermit.
So the coronation of the Icon that hangs in the Shrine Church follows on from this century old tradition. Here are some photos of Pope John Paul II blessing the crowns that were used.
Here are some photos from the 26th of August 2001 when the coronation took place.
So with this year being the 25th Anniversary we want to remember this occasion as we continue leading people to a greater veneration of Our Lady, who then leads them to a greater love of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The Solemnity will be celebrated on Sunday 23rd August 2026 for the good of the Pilgrims
8am: Mass in the Shrine Church
9am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Lauds in the Shrine Church
9:30am: Usual Mass is CANCELLED!
10:30am: Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and singing of the Pauline Litany of the B.V.M (Kleczki)
11am: Solemn Reception of the Most Rev Brian Mascord DD and Solemn Mass of the Anniversary
The Solemnity Proper is celebrated on Wednesday 26th August 2026
9:30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Lauds in the Shrine Church
10:30am: Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and singing of the Pauline Litany of the B.V.M
11am: Solemn Mass of the Solemnity / Anniversary celebrated by Very Rev Jaroslaw Zan OSPPE