On the same day as the Brooklyn diocesan pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., the diocese hosted two pilgrimages for Catholics who could not travel to the nation’s capital.
In Brooklyn, the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Solace, Coney Island, opened its doors Oct. 27 to nearly 250 local pilgrims. The day of prayer and reflection lasted from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Pilgrims sang daytime prayers, followed by a presentation by Father John Maduri, pastor at Most Precious Blood parish, Bath Beach. After the talk, the attendees participated in a multi-lingual spiritual Rosary followed by a holy hour for reflection. Throughout the two-hour program, priests were available to hear confessions.
The Vocationist priests from Our Lady of Solace assisted with the day’s events. On hand were Father Armando M. Palmieri, S.D.V., administrator; Father Shiju Chittattukara, S.D.V., parochial vicar; and Father Firmin M. Htwe, S.D.V., who lives in residence.
Father Maduri preached in English. Deacon Francis Mateo of Most Precious Blood then spoke in Spanish. Father Maduri reminded the guests that the diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., was in honor of the Blessed Mother.
“Basically, I tried to put together the idea of the Year of Faith in conjunction with Our Lady’s response of faith,” he said.
Father Maduri focused on four places in which Mary had to make the leap of faith in her own life: the Annunciation; the time when she found Jesus in the temple preaching to the elders; the time when Jesus began His public ministry; and the crucifixion.
“Faith and reason go together,” he said. “Ultimately, faith is something we have to surrender ourselves in. Mary did not always understand what was happening, but she always made the surrender of faith.”
The attendees were very receptive to the message, and the following day, some of the guests, who are parishioners at Most Precious Blood, spoke of the positive impact Father Maduri’s presentation had on them.
“They seemed to enjoy it,” Father Maduri said. “It ended up being a very prayerful afternoon. I think the people there were pleased with it.”
The day served as a viable alternative for local pilgrims who wanted to reflect on their faith but could not make the trip to Washington, D.C.
“We united ourselves in prayer with the larger diocese in Washington,” Father Maduri said. “The unity of prayer amongst the people speaks volumes.”
In Queens, the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, served as the venue for the diocese’s other local pilgrimage.
From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 100 guests said mid-day prayers, paused for reflection, prayed the Rosary and participated in a holy hour.
Deacon Jorge Gonzalez, the diocesan director of diaconate formations and special assistant to the vicar general, gave the main reflection, echoing the Holy Father’s call to celebrate our faith and make every effort to renew ourselves in our own faith as Catholics.
He shared his experiences as a teenager, in which a friend spoke to him about his own experiences of Jesus in his life.
“I used that as an example that perhaps all we need to do is tell others who we believe in and the reason why we believe in Him, and that is Jesus,” Deacon Gonzalez said.
In addition to Deacon Gonzalez, Deacon Carlos Garcia of St. Michael’s parish, East New York, and Deacon Albert Saldana of Our Light of Light parish, St. Albans, assisted with the event. Deacon Garcia served as the coordinator, while Deacon Saldana led the prayers.
“It was a very prayerful time, since it was done in the context of uniting with our brothers and sisters who were in Washington at the same time,” Deacon Gonzalez said. “I think those that came left very uplifted and grateful that they were there.”