With many pilgrims gathered for the 74th annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Rama on August 14 and 15, organizers noted that three historical events took place.
“First and foremost, it was that for the first time ever that pilgrims were able to receive a plenary indulgence,” said Mary Kowalyshen, a spokesperson for the organizers. “This will be possible for future pilgrimages in Rama.”
The second historical moment took place when the final images (a mural on the Parish Hall) were blessed, she said. The images are of “The Burning Bush, The Parting of the Red Sea and Moses, and The Ten Commandments.”
It was through the generosity of Cas and Marie Broda of Kamsack who came up with the idea that because the grotto is a Marian Shrine that the life of Mary should be depicted through images on the wall of the Parish Hall and that the Ten Commandments are the way to follow Mary into heaven as it is “her feast that we celebrate every August 14 and 15 on her glorious assumption into heaven,” said Kowalyshen.
The other historical moment to observe is that it was the “Third Annual Mass for the Unborn” which took place on August 16 following the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. The rosary was lead by the Knights of Columbus prior to the celebration of the holy mass. Rev. Marcin Mironiuk, the parish priest, began his homily by stating that his friend, Rev. Pawel of Madagascar, who concelebrated this mass with him, said that abortion clinics are also available in Africa.
“Imagine, here is a country that cannot provide fresh water, people have so little, yet they can provide abortions rather than a better life!” He emphasized that “as Christians, we are people of life and we value the gift of life!” He also described a new ultrasound program that each year enables an increasing number of babies to be saved. He recalled a true-life experience about a young mother who asked to have her baby baptized. Upon having her fill out the required information, he noticed that she failed to complete the name of the father of the baby.
It was then that she told him, “I don’t know the name of the father because I was raped.”
He was lost for words at that moment and offered her some words of comfort. At the baptism, as she held that baby in her arms so lovingly, it was so obvious that this child would never lack love. “The child is eight or nine now and is loved,” he stressed.
In his closing remarks, Mironiuk stated, “Do what we can, do our best to save each life. We value life and we must fight for it and let us never stop doing it!”
Following the Mass, all went in procession to the statue of St. Gianna Beretta Molla, the pro-life Saint. Marcin said a prayer for all mothers and blessed the relic of St. Gianna that was presented to St. Anthony’s Parish on May 10 in Winnipeg by Dr. Gianna Emanuela, who is the baby for whom St. Gianna Beretta Molla sacrificed her life.
“It was a very great moment as St. Anthony’s once more marked history,” said Kowalyshen. “It was 2012 when the statue of St. Gianna Beretta Molla was placed in the churchyard of St. Anthony’s. It was the fi rst statue of this kind made in Italy, the homeland of St. Gianna, and now in 2015 a relic of hers had been presented to St. Anthony’s Parish. Indeed a historical moment many will never forget!”
Vigil of the Assumption
On August 14, the large crowd of pilgrims gathered for the Vigil of the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary at the Shrine.
Priests were available for hearing confessions. The Yorkton Filipino Choir sang hymns of praise to Mary before the mass and representatives of Burns-Hanley of Regina were on site for those who wished to purchase religious articles that would later be blessed on August 15.
The celebration of the holy eucharist began with nine priests and Bishop Bryan Bayda, who came in procession from the church to the grotto. St. Anthony’s Choir comprised a large portion of the procession, along with altar servers, the Knights of Columbus, and the banner carriers. Mironiuk welcomed everyone and introduced all the concelebrants many of whom came from great distances, some from as far as Brooklyn, New York and Madagascar.
Bishop Bryan Bayda presented the homily while Rev. Mitch Burdzy presided. Following the mass, the rosary was prayed in many different languages and then the memorable candle light procession took place going up the hill while stopping at three different locations. The benediction of the blessed sacrament took place in the church with adoration until 11 p.m.
Feast of the Assumption
August 15 is highlighted for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The day began with “Godzinki,” morning devotional prayers to Mary, led by Rev. Mitch Burdzy followed by a Polish mass. The Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite took place at the grotto with Bishop Bayda of Saskatoon being the main celebrant. Concelebrants were Rev. Joakim Rac of Canora and Rev. Methodius Kushko of Yorkton.
“I come here to pray” was the theme of the thoughtful words spoken by Bishop Bayda. He not only presided for the divine liturgy in the Byzantine Rite on August 15, but was also the main homilist on August 14 for the Vigil of the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary. He took part in every aspect of the pilgrimage including marking the Stations of the Cross and anointing of the sick and aged.
In his homily, Bayda spoke of “how this is heaven on earth and how we should be doing everything for the will of God.” Referring to Mother Teresa, he described how she dedicated every letter in her name to God; then he emphasized how every moment of one’s life is transformable – give any situation to the Mother of God and she will transform it to God. “Jesus prayed for each one of us when He choose the most horrifi c way to dying on the cross and transformed it into our salvation.”
The act of following the Stations of the Cross was followed by the anointing of the sick and aged. Introducing something new, Rev. Burdzy explained how the pilgrims this year could earn a plenary indulgence.
He explained that this was making history at Rama as church doctrine dictates that it can only happen after permission is received from the Vatican in Rome.
The main “presider” for both days was Rev. Mitch Burdzy of St. Henry’s Parish in Melville who is the Dean for the Church’s Yorkton- Melville area.
In his homily, Burdzy began by stating: “Today, here in Rama we offer thanks to God and our physical and spiritual offering to God for Mary who was and is the Ark of Jesus.
He talked about how God willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary be exempted from original sin.
“She, by an entirely unique privilege, completely overcame sin by her immaculate conception, and as a result she was not subject to the law of remaining in corruption of the grave, and she did not have to wait until the end of time for the redemption of her body.”
Burdzy described how Mary’s story is leaving a strong impression in many millions of people throughout the world.
“Finally, it is our hope that belief in Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven will make our belief in our own resurrection stronger and render it more effective,” he said.
Pro-Life speaker
Following the Third Annual Mass for the Unborn, everyone was invited to the parish hall for a luncheon and fellowship. As the guest speaker, Colette Stang, president of Saskatchewan Pro- Life, gave a presentation insisting that “Your prayers are so needed in a world that does not always respect motherhood and the gift of life.”
She gave many examples of groups helping women, men and young girls through efforts such as: Rachel’s Vineyard, The Silent No More Campaign, Shock the Waves of Abortion Campaign, and the Sask Pro-Life Convention. She described the impact that the youth trip for the March for Life to Ottawa had on the youth who had attended.
The Saskatchewan Pro- Life Association has three arms: prayer, political action and education, Stang said. Discussing the three arms of the movement, she offered much information on her mission and expanded on how she would like the support of everyone to help out by encouraging the youth of this province to become pro-life activists.
In conclusion, she said: “Pro-Life is very serious; literally a matter of life and death. But I just want to remind you that life is such a blessing that we must still take time to enjoy our families, our friends, our communities. Be joyful people of God – keep smiling and loving life!”
Lorne Sliva, one of the organizers of the event, formally thanked Colette and the audience for participating and everyone was invited to join in a prayer.
