Following in her footsteps
Events
As the 75th annual Marian Procession approaches thousands of Catholics from throughout South Australia are preparing to march together through Adelaide’s CBD in a public display of their faith and to honour Mary.
To be held on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, this year’s procession will follow a new route, beginning at Victoria Park and ending in Victoria Square. The change has been necessary due to road closures for the Sunday afternoon AFL football game.
Several thousand people are expected to take part in the 1.5km walk and praying the Rosary.
Archbishop Patrick O’Regan said the event was a wonderful opportunity to gather communities together. Groups and parishes are encouraged to carry their own banners or icons of Mary.
First held in 1949, the Marian Procession is the longest running consecutive Catholic event in Australia.
For Anna Kalc and her daughters Carmen Jenko and Michelle Sinclair, it is an event they look forward to participating in every year.
“My mother has always had a special place in her heart for the Virgin Mary and this procession has always resonated with her,” Carmen said.
The family members, who belong to the Henley Beach parish and the Slovenian Catholic Centre in West Hindmarsh, plan to wear traditional Slovenian costumes.
“It’s always been a lovely thing to do, especially when our daughters were little. We feel proud when we wear our traditional dresses, especially because Mum made them,” Michelle said.
Carmen added it was also a way to pay tribute to the generations who came before them.
“Our parents and members of the Slovenian community escaped communism to come to Australia,” she said.
“Wearing the costumes is a commemoration of the enormous effort they made to get here, to form a community, and keep that community alive. As children of migrants, we’re in an important position to continue that.”
Participants in the procession are invited to assemble in Victoria Park (Wakefield Road) at 1.30pm for a 2pm start. Parking is available surrounding Victoria Park or on Wakefield Road.
The Rosary will be led from Victoria Square, where the choir will also be based. Prayers and hymns will be streamed and played through speakers.
The event will conclude at 4pm and two 13-seater buses will operate on a loop, dropping participants back to the Victoria Park starting point.
For updates on the event check Facebook and adelaide.catholic.org.au
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