17 June 2024 · 2024-06 newsletter
The Schoenstatt Marian Pilgrimage Day on Sunday 19th May 2024 proved once again to be a blessed and joyful day. With the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary praying the whole week prior to the annual event for good weather, the blessed Mother really pulled through blessing for a day with beautiful blue skies and the sun shining ever so brightly!
A motivated team of volunteers were out in full force early Saturday morning with some even working until the late afternoon. It was a very joyful and positive atmosphere, with everyone helping each other wherever it was needed, even some visitors to the shrine also spontaneously pitching in. Everyone had a job to do and was kept occupied with various tasks such as setting up the stage, chairs, flags, flower decoration, preparing the shop, parking or cleaning the shrine.
Early Sunday morning the last-minute things were organised and the altar, sound system and choir were set up outside the shrine. The food stalls also reserved their places and began to prepare for the big day. Several groups of pilgrims travelling all the way from Melbourne had already arrived the previous evening and by 9:00am many more pilgrims began to arrive.
Before holy Mass Father Andrew Fornal OP (Parish Priest of St. Joseph Kingswood) and Father Jacek Buda OP availed themselves for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, of which many people gladly took advantage. Following a short pre-program prayer the Holy Mass began at 10:30am with a beautiful entrance procession with many international flags which took their place in front of the shrine.
Bernard Toutounji was Master of Ceremonies, with Deacon Charles Abela and Deacon Jerome D’Rozario, two seminarians from the Seminary of the Holy Spirit-Parramatta, and three acolytes assisted with the beautiful liturgy in which approximately 800 pilgrims took part in on the grounds of Mount Schoenstatt, Mulgoa.
This year’s Marian Pilgrimage coincided with Pentecost Sunday and the actual day of the blessing of the shrine 56 years ago. The motto of the day was: “Mary, your Shrine – Our Cenacle!”
In his highly praised homily Father Andrew OP wonderfully gave a personal testimony of how the Blessed Mother has constantly guided and been personally near to him in his thirty years of priesthood. Father Andrew emphasised Mary’s presence and role with the apostles in the Cenacle during the first Pentecost and noted the particular mission the Mother Thrice Admirable has in forming and educating people from the Schoenstatt shrine.
He stated: “One of the fruits of Pentecost is the Schoenstatt Movement founded by Father Joseph Kentenich … responding to the call of the Holy Spirit to bring the Gospel of Christ to families.” He invited us to remain in the upper room and pray with Mary for the coming of the Holy Spirit upon us and the church today.
Before the conclusion of the holy Mass there was the recommissioning of the Pilgrim Mother Coordinators. Four new coordinators from St Michael’s parish Meadowbank, All Saints parish Liverpool and St Lukes parish Marsden were also sent out as Father Andrew entrusted the Pilgrim Mother to them for the first time. The Pilgrim Mother Apostolate is an initiative from Schoenstatt in which the blessed Mother in the form of a little wooden shrine travels around groups of families or individuals on a regular basis. Find out more about this powerful initiative here.
Next it was time for lunch. The various food stalls, coffee and cake that were available were very much appreciated. Many groups brought their own picnic rugs and chairs, so all were able to enjoy the wonderful nature, the warm sun and great company. The beautifully decorated shrine was also constantly filled with many people praying silently and bringing flowers or candles as a token of their gratitude and love for Mary.
The bells of the shrine began to ring at 1:45pm inviting all the pilgrims down the hill into the valley where the Eucharistic procession was due to start at 2:00pm. Incense followed by the two seminarians carrying the candles led the procession. Father Andrew carried the Eucharistic Lord in the monstrance with four canopy bearers. The rest of the pilgrims followed and proceeded back up the mountain towards the shrine. Praying and singing the pilgrims prayed the rosary during the Eucharistic procession which radiated such peace, joy and hope. Running time-parallel to the procession Father Jacek Buda OP and Father Piotr Kruk OP were available for the anointing of the sick and individual blessings at shrine. As the eucharistic procession arrived back to the main altar near the shrine the day concluded with Benediction and the blessing of all religious items that were purchased during the day.
Sr. Luisa Maria thanked everyone for their participation especially the benefactors and volunteers who contributed so much to make this day happen. A special thank you was also given to the priests for assisting in distributing the Sacraments but also the deacons, seminarians, acolytes, and choir who assisted in making the liturgies of the day so beautiful and worthy.
The following video clip of various photos of the day attempts to encapsulate the joyful and blessed atmosphere of the day. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBOYf9cc6V8
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