Annual Pilgrimage:
Not long ago, we celebrated Holy Week and Easter. On Good Friday, we
contemplated Jesus suffering and dying on the cross for our salvation.
Beneath the cross stood His mother, the holy women, and the Apostle John.
No son ever loved his mother more than Jesus loved Mary. He could not,
would not, leave her alone and unattended after He was gone. Seeing his
mother there, He said to her "Woman, there is your son." In turn He
said to John, "There is your mother." The Gospel tells us: "From that
hour onward, the disciple took her into his care." (Jn 19:26-27) John
would take care of her for the rest of her earthly days.
When the Apostles journeyed forth to evangelize the world, John chose
to go to Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). Of course, he took Mary
along with him. They settled near the town of Ephesus where John
built her a two-room, rectangular, stone dwelling - her last on
earth. A pleasant spring ran underneath the house.
Since earliest Christian days, people have journeyed there to
venerate Mary and to seek healing in the miraculous waters of that
spring. Fittingly, in the summer of 431 the Council of Ephesus
met near there and confirmed the popular belief that Mary is the
Theotokos (Mother of God).
Today half of the visitors are Moslem and half are Christian.
On every August 15, the Feast of the Dormition of Mary (Assumption),
Catholics, Orthodox, and Moslems gather together to honor Mary.
Popes Paul VI and John Paul II visited there; and Pope Benedict
XVI celebrated Mass at this holy shrine.
While the Theotokos never stepped foot in our country, we
nevertheless have a special place to honor her in the Great
Northwest. As Christians and Moslems gather each August to
venerate Mary, so do we as we honor her at the beautiful shrine
dedicated to her under the title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
As she has cured so many at her shrine in Ephesus, we know that
Mary is with us and will help us to obtain the graces, healing,
and benefits that we need today.
A trip to Ephesus in Turkey this August may not be possible, so
why not come to Olympia, Washington, for a wondrous and inspiring
pilgrimage which will warm your heart and bring you ever closer to
Mary and her Divine Son!
The 2010 pilgrimage will be held on Friday and Saturday, August
20-21. Check back here in the coming months for updated news and information
about the next pilgrimage.
You may find the Pilgrimage schedule and directions to the Shrine using the links to the left or below. The Directions page also lists accomodations and amenities. Camping is available on the Shrine grounds.
You may also find out more about the annual pilgrimage, the Shrine, its visitors, and the continuing efforts to complete the construction of the shrine by reading the newsletters. The current newsletter is the Summer 2010 edition. Join us this month in giving honor and praise to Our Mother of Perpetual Help and her divine Son!
