Legion of Mary - Annual Pilgrimage 2008

The Legion of Mary’s annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Cape, Cap-de-la-Madeleine, and Ste. Anne de Beaupre, took place over the holiday weekend, August 2-4, 2008.

LEGION OF MARY PILGRIMAGE 2-4 August 2008

On Saturday 2nd August, three buses carrying 139 pilgrims departed the Ottawa Diocesan Centre en route the Shrines of the Sacred Heart in Montreal, our Lady of the Cape in Trois Rivieres, and to St. Anne de Beaupre in Quebec City. The Legion of Mary pilgrimage, was for the 62^nd time, very successful! I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the bus supervisors, Wayne Smith, Marilyn Halls Montminy and Anne Stewart. The bus supervisors devote untold hours, measured in days, to filling their buses with pilgrims. Without their dedication the annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Cape would not unfold as efficiently as it does. This year there were many last minute changes, mostly due to illnesses and injuries; a little more on this topic later in the report.

The first stop was at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Montreal. We all enjoyed a bag lunch on the grounds of this beautiful location. It was gratifying to see that for those pilgrims who forgot to bring a lunch, they actually had more food placed in front of them than those who did remember to pack a lunch. The Shrine of the Sacred Heart is nestled in the heart of Montreal and yet provides a setting of serenity, peace and beauty. The outdoor Stations of the Cross, the Scala Santa with its magnificent carving of the Last Supper, the Grotto of Lourdes and the Padre-Pio Chapel are just a few of the sacred places to visit on the grounds.

This year, the buses arrived at the Madonna Hotel at Our Lady of the Cape earlier than scheduled but never-the-less Pat, on the reception desk, welcomed us with open arms and made our early arrival seem like a blessing. Father James Dunston was just finishing mass when we arrived and like magic a few minutes later this loving Priest arrived to welcome the Legion of Mary Pilgrims. Even with a full itinerary for the weekend most pilgrims participated in every activity.

Shortly after our arrival we participated in Mary’s Way of the Cross which was led by Father James. At the end of the stations, Father suggested that each pilgrim should consider leaving a sin behind at the Cape. I noticed that we took his suggestion very seriously because the line to the confessionals before evening mass was even longer than usual. Permit me to digress in relating that just before the stations, one of our pilgrims Tony Corrigan, fell ill. Thanks to Peter, a roommate and good friend of Tony, his quick thinking ensured that Tony was taken to hospital by ambulance. Anne Stewart (RN) accompanied Tony in the ambulance.

Following mass on Saturday evening, Father James took the Blessed Sacrament to Tony. Sisters Marilyn and Maureen, Brother Jean, and I had the privilege of joining Father James as he brought the Eucharistic to Tony. As a point of interest, for no apparent reason at the time, Father James was encouraged to bring two additional hosts to the hospital. It was only when Father found sisters Pat McLeod and Anne Steward at Tony’s bedside that he realized God’s plan for the extra hosts.

Saturday evening we experienced the beautiful and sacred candlelight procession at the Cape. At the end of the evening, Father James invited us to join him for what has become a tradition, the ‘question and answer period.’ As pilgrims settled in for the informal talk, questions rolled as quickly and easily as grease on a hot tin roof. Father’s good nature permitted anything and everything on our minds to surface for a long time; then he took us by surprise when he said, “are not most of you members of the Legion of Mary and if so, why are these concerns that seem so pressing not being addressed to your spiritual advisors back at your Praesidia?”Father then shared that he was a member of the Legion of Mary in his country of Sri Lanka and it was there that he learned that Legionaries are pastors’ greatest allies. Father James went on to tell us that Legionaires assist pastors when they bring concerns, much like the ones he was hearing, to their attention. Father then emphasized that this is why every parish needs to have a Legion of Mary.

This year St. Anne de Beaupre is celebrating its 350^th anniversary; we needed all three buses to carry about 130 pilgrims to St. Anne’s, or as Father Desrocher, the director, would say “Good St. Anne.” The spirituality of St. Anne’s was particularly prominent this year. The outdoor landscaping project, including a beautiful fountain was completed for the International Eucharistic Conference, held in June. However, the best gift for the pilgrims was that brother Tony was able to join us for the pilgrimage to “Good St. Anne’s.” Did I mention that brother Tony decided that going to morning mass and then making the trip to St. Anne de Beaupre was more important than being in hospital, hooked up to all sorts of machines that made strange noises.

Monday, mass was celebrated by Father Oulette, followed by a group photo on the steps of the altar in the old chapel with Our Lady of the Cape smiling down on the pilgrims. After lunch, Jean Normandin, a long time friend of our Lady of the Cape led us to Trois Rivieres to the church where the body of Blessed Father Frederic is resting. Jean boarded each bus prior to departure from the Cape and told us many interesting facts about Blessed Brother Frederic. We are indebted to Jean for taking his time to accompany the pilgrims to the tomb of Blessed Father Ferderic and to share so much information about the life of this holy priest.

The buses arrived back in Ottawa on schedule at 6:30 PM and thus the 62^nd annual pilgrimage was completed. I regret to inform that Brother Tony Corrigan died in Kingston, Ontario on 15^th August 2008. On the feast day of our Lady of the Assumption. His funeral was held at St. Maurice’s Parish in Ottawa on 21^st August. In memory of Tony, next year’s pilgrimage will be held in his memory.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer Snell,

Pilgrimage Coordinator

OUR LADY OF THE CAPE, IN CAP DE LA MADELEINE QUEBEC IS CANADA'S NATIONAL SHRINE TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER. FOR A SHORT SUMMARY ON THE MIRACULOUS EVENTS SURROUNDING CANADA'S ONLY CROWNED MADONNA PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW. IT IS A TRULY WONDERFUL STORY OF THE POWER OF THE ROSARY AND OF ONE PRIEST'S CHILD LIKE TRUST IN OUR BLESSED MOTHER AND SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON SAINT OF CANADA.