Early surge of pilgrimages to Jubilee sacred sites

Pilgrimages to sacred sites are well underway in the Archdiocese. Some parishes have advanced bookings up to the first quarter and one parish reported registration for up to July.

The Church of the Assumption, Maraval, was opened as a sacred site on January 5. In an interview on Friday, January 24, parish priest Fr Leslie Tang Kai told The Catholic News, “so far, the attendance, as well as the feedback, has been quite encouraging. We are open every day, Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and Mass at 6.30 every morning. Pilgrims coming less than ten can just come, pilgrims over ten are registering, so we do have quite a few groups coming on a regular basis.”

There was “a line up for the next few weeks” with groups coming on a Sunday to attend the 9 a.m. Mass.

The hospitality team of volunteers is present to welcome them, stamp passports and assist with taking selfies. The parish was expecting pilgrims from the Our Lady of Montserrat parish, St Mary’s Parish, St Finbar’s and St Francis of Assisi, Sangre Grande. There has been a flow of individuals coming to do “their own private reflections and/or to go before the Blessed Sacrament,” stated Fr Tang Kai.

Our Lady of Montserrat RC Church, Tortuga, was opened as a sacred site on Friday, January 3. Janet Chinnia, Jubilee Sacred Site team lead said the first group of pilgrims was welcomed the following day, which was the first Saturday of the month. “We are open from Wednesday to Sunday faithfully between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thus far, we have had a flow of pilgrims, sometimes small, sometimes medium sized,” Chinnia said.

She said the parish had its baptism of fire with the first large group, more than 300 pilgrims from the Chaguanas parish on Sunday, January 19. “The feedback received was awesome. They had a Spirit-filled day. We catered for them; they came to Mass at 7 a.m. That’s another thing, we’re not changing the routine of the parish; people are filtering into what is going on which makes it good for us, so nobody feels burdened,” Chinnia said.

The Chaguanas choir provided the music ministry for Mass. Pre-ordered breakfast was served and passports were stamped. The pilgrims participated in praise and worship, Adoration and Benediction.

Chinnia added, “We had our bookshop open. They got some novelty items. The Sacred Site team decided to make some little pouches with Our Lady logo, and in that we had sacred oil, blessed oil and water and information card showing how to use the oil.” Tea and coffee were available throughout the day and a “cheer of the heart” ice cream, was served.

Although it was a large group, Chinnia said the day was “calm” and “peaceful”. She commented, “I always hear from my own experience of pilgrimages, you have to prepare yourself in order to receive your graces and I think they were prepared in the manner in which they handled the day.” She noticed pilgrims enjoying the scenery of the area.

For those who are not part of a group, she said the parish, as a historical site, has a programme and can offer spiritual engagement. Schools and parishes have registered to visit, and bookings are being made in three-month blocks (e.g. January to March). Volunteers from the Central Vicariate are assisting. On January 1, the St Francis of Assisi RC Church, Sangre Grande was proclaimed a sacred site and began receiving pilgrims from the second week of January. It’s Wednesday 11.30 a.m. Mass on January 8 was well-attended and there was an increase in visitors afterwards.

This site is open Wednesday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Mass at 11.30 a.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mass at 7 p.m. and Sundays 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mass is at 7 a.m.

The church’s Jubilee Volunteers are present to warmly welcome the pilgrims as they enter the church. “The pilgrims are given a tour of the church and grounds. They are also given a brief history on our church, the Parish and our Patron Saint, St Francis of Assisi.” An information sheet on the saint is distributed.

Advanced bookings were made for February and March. “These include bookings from as far as St Finbar’s in Diego Martin, to Tortuga Parish,” the parish informed. A group of 24 pilgrims from St Finbar’s visited January 26.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church, San Fernando reported numerous requests to visit. Bookings to visit are “well advanced” on the parish calendar up to July. —LPG