16 May 2025 · 2025-05 newsletter
On Sunday 4th May 2025 there was a hive of activity before the May Pilgrimage, but everything was ready in time for our 2.30pm start. We prayed that the rain would hold off, although we did have a light shower as we started off on our Rosary procession. This didn’t last long and did not hamper the crowd of approximately 250 people who prayed and sang together to honour Our Blessed Mother.
Our theme for the day was “Mary, Pilgrim of Hope!” After the procession we listened to three aptly selected reflections. The first from Pope Benedict XVI, (Spe Salvi – #49-50) – Mary, Star of the Sea, which spoke about “Human life is a journey, a pilgrimage of hope”.
The next reflection was from Pope Francis, (11 April 2020 & 6 November 2024), titled “Pilgrims in search of Hope”. The women who went to the tomb were met by an angel who said to them: “Do not be afraid. He is not here; for he has risen” (Mt 28,6). Then they met Jesus, the giver of all hope, who confirmed the message and said: “Do not be afraid” (Mt 28,10). This is a message of hope.
The third reflection was from Fr J Kentenich, (15 October 1951). Sometimes we might feel like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus joins them on their way and the disciples begged him to stay with them (Lk 24:13.35). As Pilgrims of Hope, we ask our Lord and the Mother of God to go with us through our day, through life. The plea: “Stay with us, Jesus and Mary”, could become our daily prayer.
The reflection readings were followed by the Commissioning of seven new Pilgrim Mother Co-ordinators, and the resending out and re-Commissioning of Co-ordinators. This was followed by Benediction.
Many people wrote out prayer requests and filed into the Shrine afterwards to place them in the jar and to pray in the Shrine. This made all of us very happy.
During the afternoon tea and fellowship, I was able to ask people what they thought of the afternoon and they responded that it was lovely. One of the new Pilgrim Mother Co-ordinators said she was going straight from there to take the Pilgrim Mother to the first person in her circle. She was very excited to be able to do this.
It was truly a blessed day.
Philomena Theseira
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