75th Marian Procession filled with the Holy Spirit
News
More than 2000 Catholics joined in a public and prayerful demonstration of their faith when they participated in the 75th annual Marian Procession in Adelaide on Pentecost Sunday.
Processing along Wakefield Street to Victoria Square, the faithful reverently recited the Rosary, listened to gospel readings and sang hymns as they marched behind their parish and community banners.
The statue of Our Lady was carried by students from Christian Brothers College while Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College students carried the Christ the Pantocrator banner.
The threatening clouds and intermittent light rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd which gathered in Victoria Square for the liturgy led by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan. The blessed sacrament was brought to the altar for the Tantum Ergo and Divine Praises.
Music was provided by singers and musicians from the Diocesan Combined Choir, the St Mary’s Vietnamese Choir, Hectorville Choir, Fructus Augustini Salisbury Parishes Choir and the Cathedral and Holy Cross Choir.
The 2004 image of Our Blessed Morther was designed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the procession and to recognise the celebration taking place on the solemnity of Pentecost.
Archbishop O’Regan said the Marian Procession was one of the most enduring aspects of the Church’s history in Adelaide.
“So there’s something very special as we mark this 75th anniversary of the Marian Procession,” he said.
“Think of all the different people who have been part of that journey, and the ones that will come in 75 years time to celebrate the sesquicentenary, so we’re halfway there.
“It’s a beautiful thing to do during our celebration of May, the month of Mary, and it’s a very fitting way of bringing to conclusion the great 50 days of Easter as we celebrate Christ Risen and what it means to everyone of us.”
Thanking all those involved in the organisation and staging of the event, Archbishop O’Regan made mention of the logo, describing it as “particularly extraordinary, embodying Mary, the child Jesus, the Pentecostal flames, the tongues of flames on the disciples but also an invitation into that space because it’s a warm, welcome, hopeful space”.
“It’s all we want to be on our synodal journey, together on the way,” he said.
Jump to next article
