The Redemptorists of the Vice Province of Michalovce (Slovakia) made a pilgrimage on May 15 to Máriapocs, Hungary, a place of grace venerated by pilgrims from all over Europe since the 17th century. This shrine is famous for an icon of the Virgin Mary that is said to have miraculously shed tears in 1969.
This year’s pilgrimage had special significance, as it commemorated the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Redemptorist Vice-Province of Michalovce. Participants asked forgiveness for their sins, expressed gratitude for the graces they had received, and prayed for a blessed future and new vocations.
The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Bishop Milan Chautur, CSsR, who blessed the silver Redemptorist crosses, presented to each confrere of the vice-province as a souvenir of the pilgrimage. The homily was delivered by Miroslav Bujdoš, CSsR, Vice-provincial.
The day continued with the Moleben (a liturgy used in the Eastern Orthodox Churches addressed to Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, a saint, or on the occasion of a religious feast) to the Blessed Virgin Mary before the miraculous icon (a liturgical celebration consisting of songs, scripture readings, and specific prayers), followed by lunch at the pilgrims’ house, which provided an opportunity for conversation, reminiscing, and talking about the future endeavours.
Source: Facebook of the Gréckokatolícki redemptoristi
Photo: Daniel Atanáz Mandzák CSsR, Miroslav Liška, CSsR.
