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renovación del compromiso misionero Annual pilgrimage to the Shrine in Mulgoa, Wallfahrt zum Heiligtum in Mulgoa, Australien: die Missionare brachten die Pilgernde Gottesmutter für die Erneuerung der Missionarischen Verpflichtung |
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Peregrinación al Santuario de Mulgoa, Australia – los misioneros llevaron sus peregrinas para la Cantando a la Mater Singing for the Blessed Mother Lieder für die Gottesmutter |
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Procesión Procession Prozession |
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Una familia alegre en el Santuario A joyful family at the Shrine Eine fröhliche Familie rund ums Heiligtum versammelt |
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Procesión con el Sacramento Eucharistic procession Eucharistische Prozession Fotos: Hall www.schoenstatt.org.au © 2005 |
AUSTRALIA, Shirley Hall. Our Lady graced the Schoenstatt familiy with a perfect autumn day for the annual Schoenstatt Marian Pilgrimage to her shrine at Mulgoa on Sunday 22 nd May. About 1600-1700 people made the pilgrimage to the shrine and responded to the spirit of the day by coming together in an atmosphere of joy and unity, together with Bishop Kevin Manning of Parramatta.
In this Year of the Eucharist the focus of the day was to journey with Mary and her Son in the Eucharist. It was therefore fitting that the day began with the celebration of Holy Mass. On approaching the area near the Shrine where Mass was to be held, it was a beautiful sight to see so many Pilgrim Mothers placed in front of the altar. There were at least 180 Pilgrim Mothers, symbolising the commitment of so many people to this apostolate of taking Our Lady to the homes of other families. Father Kentenich frequently spoke about the need for people to deepen their devotion to Mary and to pray the rosary often. Our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II also spoke about this on many occasions. This was evidenced during the pilgrimage by the depth of the devotion of the people and the way in which they responded to the celebrations with deep reverence and respect. It was particularly obvious during Holy Mass.
Commitment to continue the MTA’s pilgrimage from the shrine to the homes
To help prepare for Holy Mass, three young Filipino girls presented a liturgical dance and the Spanish Schoenstatt choir led the congregation in a number of hymns. The Mass of the day was the Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity. Main celebrant was Bishop Kevin Manning, the Bishop of Parramatta who was assisted by five priests, including one of the Schoenstatt Fathers. As the Mass was outdoors, it was held in glorious sunshine and the beauty of the day was reflected in the way in which the people joined in the celebration. Towards the end of Mass the many coordinators present came forward to renew their commitment to continue Our Lady's pilgrimage from the shrine to the homes of those in their pilgrim circles.
So many cultures, language groups and nationalities coming together in love for Schoenstatt
After Mass it was lovely to see the many families and friends sitting together around the grounds, having their lunch and enjoying the day. The sounds of laughter and even singing filled the air and added to the atmosphere of friendship and joy. There was time for people to spend with Our Blessed Mother and her Son in the shrine. Many people also took the opportunity to visit our statue of Father Kentenich, spending time spiritually with him. This is also a day on which one truly witnesses the universality of the Schoenstatt family here in Australia . We have so many different cultures, language groups and nationalities coming together to share their devotion to Our Blessed Mother.
Eucharistic procession
This was particularly apparent in the Eucharistic procession that took place in the afternoon. This year was the first time that a Eucharistic procession was held, and the people were looking forward to continuing their journey with Mary and her Son. The procession began down in the valley, centred on Our Blessed Lord in the Monstrance. Bishop Manning led the celebrations and was joined by the priests who had concelebrated the Mass with him earlier in the day.
The procession wound its way up to the shrine, stopping along the way at the altars which had been lovingly prepared by various ethnic groups representing some of the many cultures and language groups in the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate.
At each of these altars a hymn to Christ was sung, and all listened to a reading taken from either "Ecclesia De Eucharistia" – the encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II - or a reflection from Father Kentenich. These readings focussed on aspects of the Eucharist – adoration, atonement, thanksgiving and petition. After each reading there was a prayer which was taken from Heavenwards, followed by a blessing and finishing with a hymn to Our Lady.
While processing to the next altar we said a decade of the rosary. As in previous years, each decade of the rosary was said in a different language. The Blessed Sacrament was carried under a canopy, which various groups from our Schoenstatt Movement carried to the next altar. Also carried in the procession was the large Pilgrim Mother, along with the many smaller Pilgrim Mother’s which had earlier been blessed during Holy Mass. As the procession made its way to the shrine, young children went in front scattering flower petals along the way.
The singing continued spontaneously
The procession finished appropriately at the shrine where there was a liturgical dance and further prayers of adoration and praise. The celebrations finished with a renewal of the Covenant of Love and a final blessing.
To conclude the day of pilgrimage, the Spanish Schoenstatt Choir led us in a final hymn. However, people didn't want the day to end, so the singing continued spontaneously and even those who couldn't sing the words joined in by clapping. It was a wonderful family atmosphere of joy and unity and a truly fitting way to end the pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt. The depth of the devotion of the people had been shown in the way they responded to this day.