Open air Mass and Procession at Maryvale

By Wioleta Pater

Blessed with dry weather on Sunday 10th June 2018, Maryvale Institute held its annual pilgrimage Mass and Procession in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As has been traditional, a guest celebrant presided at the Mass and this year we were grateful to Rev Dr Michael Cullinan, Director of the Bachelor of Divinity course and of the Higher Institute of Religious Science.

The day was attended by a wide range of friends of Maryvale, old and new, including local parishioners, archdiocesan representatives due to attend the World Meeting of Families, students and alumni, staff and supporters of the Institute, along with our resident Bridgettine Sisters.

The Sacred Heart has played a prominent role in the spiritual life of Maryvale since Bishop John Milner gained papal approval to found a public chapel on this site, dedicated to this devotion, in 1814, bringing back from Rome the stained glass image that you can still see today to provide a focus point behind the altar.

Consequently, the Pilgrimage Mass and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the grounds are a highlight of liturgical year at Maryvale, again coming as the culmination of a series of well-attended Novena Masses to the Sacred Heart.

These Masses, which took place between 31st May and June 8th, were led by a mixture of staff, guest celebrants and even one of our PhD research students, Fr Marcello Navaro. Guest musicians included Jobe and the choir of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Following the success of both the Novena Masses and the Pilgrimage Day for 2018, Institute Director, Fr Edward Clare, extends his "thanks to all who participated, attended and made the time such a success and a blessing".