Julia’s Weekly Shrine Round-up: 10/10

By Julia Rose

Hello again! The holiday weekend is here! And it's a perfect time to visit the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. Everything you need to know is posted on ShrineofDivineMercy.org, including a calendar of events. 

Please e-mail me with your pilgrim stories and photos! 

This was a busy but memorable week at the National Shrine! We were truly blessed with warm summer-like weather for three annual feasts: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Faustina, and Our Lady of the Rosary.

Cat and Dogs
One of my favorite events was the Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 4, St. Francis’ feast as well as First Saturday. Father Anthony Gramlich, MIC, blessed seven dogs and one cat (Carrie's cat Sully is in the carrier, above) in front of the statue of the patron saint of animals.

Brady, an adorable Golden Retriever (above), looked especially joyful. This was his first blessing, and he travelled with his owner, Christopher, from St. Dominic’s Parish in Brick, New Jersey. Christopher has been visiting the National Shrine regularly for 29 years, especially for the Mother of Divine Mercy Prayer Group on Thursday nights, and the monthly Healing Mass (the next one is on Oct. 30; details here).

A volunteer for the past three years, you might see Christopher driving around a golf cart, shepherding pilgrims throughout the grounds during busy events at the Shrine. “You serve and you are healed,” he said. Amen! 

Watch Fr. Mark Baron, MIC’s Saturday talk, “The Unsuspected Marian Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi,” on DivineMercyPlus.org. 

All for Faustina!
In celebration of the Feast of St. Faustina, observed on Oct. 6, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, gave a beautiful talk on St. Faustina. “Divine Mercy is more than a devotion, it’s a message that’s the heart of the Gospel,” Fr. Chris said. “It’s what the Bible is totally about. This is why we have this important day and this important saint.”

Watch Fr. Chris’ special talk, “The Life of St. Faustina Kowalska, the Secretary and Apostle of Divine Mercy,” on DivineMercyPlus.org. 

Several busloads of pilgrims came for the day. Among a group of 47 from Buffalo, New York, was Susan (below) from the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. She felt especially called to join this two-day pilgrimage because her mother, who is in her 90s, has always wanted to visit. Susan was especially moved by the Lourdes Grotto. “It’s breathtaking here,” she said. “You get to pray. Pray for people.”

Signing books in the Divine Mercy Gift Shop was Kevin Wilson (above), author of the award-winning book from Marian Press, The Saint I Knew! Exciting ‘Encounters’ with Holiness, featuring a chapter on St. Faustina. He was thrilled to meet Debbie and Mary-Jean, two sisters from Vermont, as well as Laurie and George, a couple celebrating their 35-wedding anniversary, from western New York.

Honoring Our Lady
We marked the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on Oct. 7 in a very special way. The 9 a.m. Mass was celebrated by our Shrine Rector, Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC.  

“We have lots to be thankful for to God for the victories that have been won, but we know that there are still many battles to fight as well. We continue to pray,” said Fr. Matthew in his homily. “It’s only through the Rosary that Our Lady of Fatima says we will have peace. Praying the Rosary will bring the peace of Christ to your soul and to the world.”

Following Mass, a Eucharistic procession was held from the Shrine to the Our Lady of Mercy Oratory in the Marian Helpers Center. Twenty-four hours of Eucharistic Adoration was held, bringing many graces and blessings!

Did you know that Eucharistic Adoration is held every weekday, Monday-Friday, from 12 Noon until 4:30 p.m. in the Our Lady of Mercy Oratory? If you’re visiting the Shrine, stop by and spend some time with our Lord!

Tasty treats await
Did you know there’s a café open weekends on Eden Hill? It’s appropriately called the Eden Hill Café and  is run by Craig, owner of Pleasant & Main Restaurant in Housatonic, Massachusetts. The hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

“To work up here, to see the dignity and humility, is a change for me from being in the restaurant business,” Craig says. He knows the Marian Fathers well, having catered events over the past several years. “The Marians will come down here and grab a coffee, and inevitably we’ll be sitting at a table in deep conversation.”

With a commitment to organic foods, Craig offers home-cooked and affordable fare. His “Morning Combo” featuring coffee and a freshly baked pastry — a cider donut, chocolate croissant, wild berry muffin or scone — has been especially popular. The coffee beans from a mission in Guatemala are roasted locally. And on Sundays, don’t miss the “Marian Fathers’ Buttermilk Pancakes” breakfast special.

“Craig’s wonderful,” said one customer, Gerry from St. Charles Parish in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. “Eden Hill Cafe is the best deal in town.” I agree!

More news and pilgrim views next Friday! Have a great weekend!
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