Hispanic Pilgrimage a ‘blessed day’ of devotion to Mary

After days of hazardous health warnings regarding air quality due to smoke resulting from wildfires, June 11 dawned a beautiful morning for the annual Diocesan Peregrinacion Hispana, or Hispanic Pilgrimage, at the National Shrine of the Blue Army in Asbury.

The Shrine is operated by the World Apostolate of Fatima USA and is dedicated to spreading the message of prayer, peace and penance Our Lady proclaimed to the three children at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. In addition to the Shrine Church, the area consists of 150 acres offering a peaceful setting for prayer and meditation. It was built in 1978 as a means of spreading the message through out America.

More than 400 members of various Hispanic communities in parishes throughout the diocese gathered at the Shrine to celebrate the day as an expression of their devotion to the Mother of Jesus Christ. Lillian Torres, a member of the Legion of Mary in St Joseph Parish, Carteret, who attended the day with her husband, Deacon Ramon Torres, said they came to make the pilgrimage in order to honor the Blessed Mother.

The day began at 9:30 a.m. with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Shrine Church to allow for individual prayer and reflection and concluded with Benediction. During this time and throughout the morning priests from the diocese were available at locations around the Shrine Chapel for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

In a Rosary procession around the grounds of the Shrine, pilgrims of all ages prayerfully followed a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, waving little white flags in honor of the Blessed Mother. The recitation of the Rosary was accompanied by hymns, meditations and Scripture readings between the decades. The procession ended at noon at the Grotto of Mary, Mother of the Life Within, with praying the Angelus.

Participants had an opportunity to eat and explore the grounds surrounding Shrine Church which is comprised of meditative gardens, including a Rosary Garden, the Stations of the Cross, as well as a number of chapels and smaller shrines that provide opportunities for personal prayer and reflection.

Mass was celebrated in the main church by Father Fredy Triana Beltran, of the Oratorian Community of Raritan with Father Ronal P. Vega Patrana, parochial vicar in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Basking Ridge, concelebrating.

In his homily, Deacon Reynaldo Lopez, who serves in Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville, reflected on the Scripture story of the widow Jesus observed contributing two cents in the collection box. Pointing to her, Jesus taught that her gift was greater than others because it came from her need, not her surplus.

Deacon Reynaldo asked, “What are we giving to God, our left overs? What is our intention when we give? By depositing her two coins the poor widow was depositing herself and trusting that God will provide.” 

Deacon Renaldo closed by saying, “Our Blessed Mother always helps us to purify and sanctify our attitudes so we can give ourselves entirely to God and to others and thus become more like her Son.”

Following the homily, 25 adult women and men and seven young people were called forward to make their Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, a devotion following the example of St. Louis de Montfort, a 17th century saint who had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother. He wrote a number of works detailing the virtues of giving yourself totally to the Mother of Jesus.

Throughout the day, and especially during the Mass, the reverent and prayerful atmosphere of the pilgrimage was enhanced by the sacred music provided by the Diocesan Charismatic Choir.

Deacon Edgar Chavez, director, Office of Hispanic Ministry and Evangelization for the Diocese, said that it was a blessed day, “due to the support from all the Hispanic communities of all the parishes of the Diocese.” 

Deacon Cline exercises his ministry at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater