With a heavy heart due to the recent loss of my father, joining the pilgrims at the diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washingto, D.C., gave me hope that life does move on. Inspiring words were delivered by Msgr. Vito A. Buonanno, when he reminded us of the tragedy of Superstorm Sandy. He applauded the tenacity of the city and its residents. He reminded us of the need to persevere and endure; that we are not orphans; that we have a Mother who intercedes for us. Words that touched me also touched a lot of the pilgrims on this spiritual journey.
The Blessed Mother is well represented in the many chapels located in this shrine. It gives the pilgrim an opportunity to pray and to spend time to ask for her intercession and guidance. I remembered Msgr. Buonanno saying: “Today’s pilgrimage will be rewarded!”
The pilgrims from the parish of St. Michael, Flushing, boarded their bus at 5:30 a.m. in time to depart at 6:15. We were reminded by the bus leaders that this is a prayerful journey for our diocese, our church and our faith. When everyone got settled, we received a handbook of the most popular novenas of our Blessed Mother. Then the rosary began.
At 8:30 a.m., members of the food committee of the Filipino Association, Maria Palmes and Regie Katounis, started to serve breakfast. Pansi, a famous Filipino dish, was on the menu; drinks were distributed by Michael Pasion and Aurea Vukov. When everybody had their fill, the anticipation of the journey kept the spirit of the pilgrims.
We arrived at the steps of the basilica, got off the bus and posed for group pictures with Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros.
In reading the program, I noticed the participation of different cultures, including the languages of each. We are humbled to represent the Filipino culture in today’s celebration. During the rosary, Divina Pasion led the reading of the Fourth Joyful Mystery. She was joined by Amparo Badion and Leony Alberto from St. Sebastian, Woodside, in praying the Aba Ginoong Maria.
For the Mass, I was joined by Divina Pasion as parish representatives who processed to the main altar. It was a humbling experience to be a part of this celebration. I cannot help but recollect back to the days when I used to come and visit this shrine in the early ’80s. As a Marian devotee, our Blessed Mother has kept me safe along my life’s journey. I went on the pilgrimage to offer my rosary and prayers. But never could I imagine being a part of the Eucharistic celebration on this holy altar!
Not only one but four bishops were present to inspire the flock; Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, the day’s main celebrant, and Auxiliary Bishops Cisneros, Paul Sanchez and Raymond Chappetto.
“Para sa mga mahihirap at mga ina-abandona, para sa mga may sakit at nagdurusa; We pray to the Lord,” was delivered by Michael Pasion during the Prayer of the Faithful. Maria Palmes and Aurea Vukov took part in the offertory procession. Bishop DiMarzio kept reminding the pilgrims to dedicate prayers to Christians persecuted in the Middle East, to look to the Blessed Mother as a model of unity and that our life is always a pilgrimage where the end goal is eternal life.
Indeed, Msgr. Buonanno’s promise of a reward was fulfilled in the words of Bishop DiMarzio. Super abundant blessings are in store for all pilgrims. I felt so blessed and hopeful that the Blessed Mother never abandons; she is our Mother and the Mother of our Church, our Mediatrix, who always intercedes through her Son, Jesus Christ.
The pilgrimage gave me hope that, in spite of the loss of my father, I was blessed with a community that gives me courage to allow me to serve and contribute my talent working in the vineyard of the Lord. To God be the glory!
On behalf of the pilgrims from the parish of St. Michael, together with the members of the Filipino Association of St. Michael and all the Filipinos in the Brooklyn Diocese, we offer our gratitude to Bishop DiMarzio and everyone involved, including Msgr. Buonanno for recognizing the diversity of our community.
The recognition of the Filipino culture and our Tagalog Masses present in the diocese are one of the integral aspects of our faith and our community spirit.
We also are grateful to Father John Vesey, pastor of St. Michael’s, and Father Patrick Longalong, coordinator of the diocesan Filipino Apostolate, for their continued patience in shepherding the Filipino faithful.[hr] Shirley Figueroa-Lascano is the evangelization ministry coordinator at St. Michael’s parish, Flushing.
