19 April 2021 · 2021-04 newsletter
Mt Richon Shrine, WA
The Stations of the Cross at 10.00 am on Good Friday, April 2 was an event many were looking forward to, as we can now safely gather after the Covid restrictions last year. A number of small Working Bee groups were held by Movement members, St Francis Xavier parishioners and volunteers to prepare the grounds, safely clear the paths and even to re-paint the crosses for the event.
Early in the morning small groups of pilgrims came to privately pray the Stations of the Cross on our grounds and to pray in the Shrine, appropriately decorated to reflect Good Friday with a crucifix placed in the middle and five lights to symbolise Our Lord’s five wounds. Thanks to Movement member Peter de San Miguel’s organisation, parishioners and pilgrims alike could register on the Safe WA app or write down their contact details at our gate, and the arrival and traffic flow went smoothly.
Before the Shrine people gathered to receive booklets and we sisters took this opportunity to greet and welcome them. It was wonderful to see so many families, parents with not only small children but with teenagers as well, along with grandparents. Deacon Patrick Moore led us into a short prayer at the Shrine forecourt, followed by an appropriate song by Vicki as she played the guitar. The crowd of around 150 persons then made their way towards the First Station.
The tableau of each Station was enacted by Youth Building Community, the youth group and parishioners of St Francis Xavier parish, Hilbert. The readers were also parishioners. At some of the stations, the youth group sang appropriate songs to help us continue our reflection of the scenes. Surprisingly, despite the rough track, ant bites and heat, the crowd maintained a very prayerful atmosphere as the stations were prayed for over an hour. At the final Station and blessing from Deacon Patrick, the crowds dispersed with many of the people making a prayerful visit to the Shrine before departure. Most of us felt very blessed indeed to be able to safely gather on this Good Friday for such an event.
Mulgoa, NSW
Good Friday is generally a day when hundreds and even thousands visit Mount Schoenstatt. Last year, due to the pandemic, Mount Schoenstatt was closed, and Good Friday and Easter were truly very quiet times. This year, due to difficulty in monitoring the numbers of visitors and complying with all the necessary restrictions we again cancelled the ‘public’ praying of the Stations of the Cross but invited people, if they wished to pray in small groups or alone.
It was astounding to experience the number of people and groups who made use of this opportunity to join with Jesus on his way of the Cross and to thank him for his great love for us. Some had downloaded the text of the Stations of the Cross with Mary, which had been posted on the Website. Many families with young children also joined in this time of prayer. As there was almost a continual stream of groups praying, each group waited in silence as the group before them moved from one Station to the next. It was a beautiful testimony to the faith of the people.
The doors of the Shrine were also open for people to pray outside or in a small space inside as they wrote petitions and prayers of thanksgiving. The patience with which the people waited for their turn in the Shrine was truly uplifting. Checking in with the QR code was accepted as mandatory and in general there was a prayerful atmosphere around the Shrine and along the Stations of the Cross.
We thank God and the Blessed Mother that in this way, many were able to enter into the spirit of Good Friday as they prepared for the Resurrection of Our Lord, the great feast of our liturgical year which brings hope to our troubled world.
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