The six days between Jan. 28 and Feb. 2 were quite unique at Christ Cathedral.
THE BEAUTIFUL PILGRIM STATUE OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY IS PRESENT DURING A SPECIAL MASS CELEBRATED ON FEB. 2 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTO BY DREW KELLEY/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Several priests and brothers of the Heralds of the Gospel, an International Association of Pontifical Right approved by Pope John Paul II on Feb. 22, 2001, wearing their distinctive habit and taking with them the beautiful Pilgrim Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as she appeared in Fatima, were on a Marian Mission.
THE GOAL OF THE MARIAN HOME VISITS IS TO BRING THE SOULS OF FAMILIES CLOSER TO THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH. PHOTO COURTESY OF HERALDS OF THE GOSPEL
These Marian Missions consist of a two-fold focus: one is in the church itself, where extra times of confession, adoration, talks and Masses are added with the help of extra priests and brothers of the Heralds who arrive. This mission, for example, had days with up to 9 hours of confessions! It continues until the last penitent is heard. And a first for the history of the Heralds of the Gospel Marian Missions: in three languages at the same time!
The second aspect is unique: the Pilgrim Statue is present during the Masses but then goes out with some priests and brothers to bless homes while another priest stays back to hear confessions.
These visits are many times a sign from God for these families, who see in a loving Mother who not only waits with open arms but actually goes out to meet her children and answer their prayers.
Though these visits are brief due to the great number of requests, it becomes evident that God doesn’t need a lot of time to do great things in their lives. The goal is to bring these souls closer to the life of the Church.
AS PART OF THE MARIAN MISSION, THE PILGRIM STATUE GOES OUT WITH SOME PRIESTS AND BROTHERS TO BLESS HOMES WHILE ANOTHER PRIEST STAYS BACK TO HEAR CONFESSIONS. PHOTO COURTESY OF HERALDS OF THE GOSPEL
During the visit, a prayer is said and after the blessing people are invited to go to the parish and participate in all the activities. It is not uncommon that some
show up to the parish saying it’s been some decades since their last confession and would like to get in line to seek the forgiveness of their sins. Others seek the sacraments for the first time. Others are inspired to see how to participate more in parish life. Many who had an erroneous view of what is the life of the Church and perhaps felt alienated from it suddenly see on how the Church is a mother too and desires to live in the hearts of the children of God. Not every family has the same level of faith within it. Maybe one member of the family is of great faith and brings the missionaries for the visit. Another, out of respect, is merely present but not so close to the Faith. But during the visit their hearts quickly warm up. Frequently in that moment perhaps, the one who is most benefited is the one in greater need of conversion. They did not go to the Church, but the Church came to them. Inspired by the visit they begin that sweet path, exclaiming with St. Augustine “Too late have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient, O Beauty so new…You have touched me, and I ardently desire your peace.”
A path that leads to Jesus, but always through Mary Most Holy!
The closing of the mission unites the whole community in Holy Mass, where the Pilgrim Statue is solemnly crowned and the parish is consecrated to her Immaculate Heart, certain that this weeklong mission, where she visited literally hundreds of homes, is only the beginning of a new life for many in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
For more information on the Heralds of the Gospel and the Marian Missions visit www.heraldsusa.org/mission-2-2/marian-missions