The Saint Mary's Pilgrimage Concludes Marian Year

"This Marian Pilgrimage has been like a continual feast of the most solid spirituality of the Church."

These were the words of newly-consecrated Bishop Richard Williamson addressing pilgrims who had traveled to St. Marys, Kansas, for the tenth annual pilgrimage at St. Mary's Academy and College. Visitors from as far away as Virginia and Oregon, Canada and southern Texas, spent four days in spiritual exercises honoring Our Lady. Not only did this pilgrimage mark the closing of the Marian Year and the tenth anniversary of the Society of St. Pius X at St. Mary's; it also occasioned the first visit by Bishop Williamson since his episcopal consecration in Ecône and the arrival of newly-ordained Fr. James Doran, assigned to St. Mary's where he will work especially in the boys' school.

The "Restoration Swing Band"—a project of St. Mary's parishioners—entertains pilgrims during a welcome concert.

For weeks parishioners had worked under the direction of coordinator Peggy Kusilek on the endless details of preparation: weeding flower beds, preparing rooms, cleaning in the buildings, trimming on the grounds. Campus plumber Stan Matel could be seen going about with a big wrench over his shoulder as he checked out contrary plumbing. All this was in addition to ongoing repairs in the dorms in preparation for opening of fall school term!

Thursday, August 11th—After much work and many novenas, all was in readiness for opening of pilgrimage on the feast of St. Philomena with her Proper Mass. Arriving pilgrims found colorful signs directing them to the College building for registration, where an appliqued banner showing Our Lady and St. Mary's hung over the entrance.

The work of Sisters and girls of the parish, it incorporated the tenth anniversary motto, "By the Grace of God—for the Glory of God."

Fr. James Doran gives individual first blessings to pilgrims after Solemn High Mass.

Inside, pilgrims received a packet stuffed with event tickets, prayer leaflets, history of St. Mary's, campus map, and many other "goodies." Young ladies were on hand to direct guests to their dormitory sleeping quarters, and babysitters were caring for little pilgrims in the College rec room.

In the hall, displays of newspaper clippings enabled visitors to review the "early days" when the SSPX first came to St. Mary's. This famous former Jesuit college—first founded as an Indian mission 140 years ago—had been vacant eleven years at the time the Society acquired it in 1978.

During the pilgrimage, confessions were being heard regularly in the chapel. Meanwhile, tours of the campus, led by parishioner Dr. Robert Murphy and by St. Mary's College student Virginia Awerkamp, acquainted visitors with the history and present use of the buildings as a traditional Catholic Academy for boarding and day students and a two-year liberal arts college. Buildings have been constantly improved in the past ten years, but visitors had a dramatic "before" and "after" view in the two gymnasiums—the "big gym" still awaiting new floor, wiring, roof repair, and renovation of its large stage; and next door the "small gym" with its shining floor and blue bleachers, thanks to the efforts of the Booster Club.

Little girls bear Our Lady's Crown in procession for the outdoor crowning of Mary during 1988 Pilgrimage to St. Mary's.

At the evening get-acquainted dinner, Fr. Stephen DeLallo reminded the pilgrims they were gathered here to honor Our Lady. He explained that to make a pilgrimage is a sacrifice and that we should give of ourselves, seeking Christ—and the Cross—in order that in our lives we might bear Christ to others and be an instrument of their sanctification. "Give much—give your will to God, and He will give much to you."

After Rosary and Benediction, the evening ended on a light note with an outdoor concert by the "Restoration Swing Band." A project of St. Mary's teens and adults, led by Del Latham, the band is an effort to restore good music in these days when popular music is in deplorable condition. The group obviously had a good time playing old tunes for their enthusiastic audience.

Friday, August 12, found pilgrims at a conference led by St. Mary's Academic Dean Mr. James S. Taylor concerning Christian education. In a thought-stirring look at our times, he explained what children, parents and educators are up against in the social and moral breakdown of our day with its materialism, its greed, its pre-occupation with violence, ugliness, and cult of the body. Mr. Taylor showed how in our education, in our families, we must hold on to our Catholic traditions and life, "holding fast, isolated, wounded, heroic, and attempting to be as happy as possible, and, most important, to be always poised, inclined toward the love and conversion of the neighbor." Listeners were so engrossed during the question and answer period that they almost forgot to break for lunch! This excellent talk (as well as all the conferences and sermons of the pilgrimage) is available on tape from the campus bookstore.

Procession with the Blessed Sacrament during St. Mary's Pilgrimage

In the afternoon, Fr. Urban Synder, Trappist monk, gave a spiritual conference on the subject of Our Lord coming into the world through Mary and sending us graces through her. "Every grace you ever received, she asked for it, even if you didn't." He urged listeners, "Ask Jesus to give you His Heart with which to love Mary, and ask Mary to give you her heart with which to love Jesus." 

After Stations of the Cross, dinner, and Rosary, the memorable feature film, "Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima," was shown in the campus's McCabe Theatre.

Saturday, August 13 began with the First Solemn High Mass of newly-ordained Fr. Doran, followed by his individual "first blessings" to pilgrims. In his sermon Bishop Williamson illuminated the absolute necessity of the priest in the world. He explained how civilization was made by the Catholic Church, and if we have the Church to thank for civilization, who have we to thank for the Church but the priest upon whom the Catholic Church depends. The principal channels of grace into the world—especially the Holy Eucharist and Confession—absolutely require a priest. Thus we have such veneration for the priest. There is no name through which men can be saved but Our Lord Jesus Christ, and He has chosen for us to reach Him through the sacraments, through the priest. 

Annas (Dick Ahearn) listens to King Herod, played by Del Latham with Mrs. Latham as Herodias.

The Curé of Ars said, "Take away the priest and the village will be turned back to the beasts in twenty-five years." Meaningful words today! Bishop Williamson encouraged all to be aware of the gift of God in giving us another priest—pulled out of the world in this twentieth century. Everyone, in every way he can, must encourage vocations to the religious life—that hard but happy and luminous life where the delights of serving God are far higher and deeper than any other, and worthy of undivided devotion.

A refreshing rain had broken the heat and showers had continued during Mass. Looking at the grey skies, pilgrims wondered aloud about the day's outdoor activities, and were assured by "old-timers" that the rain would cease in time for the crowning of Mary. Indeed it did! The sky was clear and the sun hot when the long procession of children began the walk to Our Lady's statue in the circular drive. Pilgrims sang fervently as a little girl in white placed the crown on Our Lady's head and then all chanted Our Lady's Litany. In the minds of many were no doubt thoughts of another great devotee of Our Lady, Fr. Frederic Nelson of North Dakota, for the news of his death had just reached St. Mary's. It was he, many years ago, who had been a beacon of hope to many of these same pilgrims, who had led them to the traditional Mass, and even led them to St. Mary's. 

Pontius Pilate (Fred Fletcher) questions Christ (Pat Ahearn) during the Passion Play

Later, the Blessed Sacrament was carried in procession through the campus. On sidewalks of the route, symbols and phrases from Our Lady's Litany had been artistically drawn in chalk. Little girls in white scattered petals on the path as servers incensed the Sacred Host. There were two stops for Benediction at flower-decorated outdoor altars, and a final Benediction in the chapel.

Then, pilgrims strolled toward the big gym—transformed by busy helpers into a dining room to feed three hundred. Our Lady of Lourdes, surrounded by flowers, graced the stage, while the nine-by-twelve foot tapestry of Our Lady of Perpetual Help hung behind the head table. For those who had been there for the first pilgrimage in '79, there were memories of the huge banquet in the same room, and of the long round of applause when Archbishop Lefebvre arrived. Now, ten pilgrimages later, a bishop was among us again and the resounding ovation Bishop Williamson received showed the gratitude of the pilgrims.
 

The Way of The Cross

The campus kitchen crew and volunteers had outdone themselves in preparing and serving the buffet spread—so many salads, meat dishes, and desserts to choose from that it was hard to fit them all on one plate!

In his banquet address, Fr. Snyder spoke about the Mass, saying that we were gathered here because we love the Mass and will give of our lives, money, time, and trouble to preserve it. As he said, "We don't want clown Masses or dancing girl Masses, or cornbread Masses—but the true Mass." He put the question, "Why is the world in such a mess today? Count how many fewer Masses there are now than at the time of Vatican II." He explained how Pope Pius XII, even while still a cardinal, saw around him innovators who wanted to dismantle the sanctuary, to put out the universal flame of the Church (the sanctuary lamp), to reject the ornaments of the Church, to make the Church regret its history. What Pius XII foresaw has come, and we must pray and offer up our sacrifices and sufferings from inconvenience in finding a Mass. We must thank God when we have a Mass and make use of every opportunity to attend it, offering up ourselves in union with Our Lord.

As the evening concluded with the "Living Rosary," pilgrims went again in outdoor procession to Our Lady's statue bearing votive lights to place in a glowing Rosary around her. While singing goodnight to our "Holy Queen Enthroned Above," pilgrims were illuminated by flashes of lightning from surrounding clouds as nature lighted the night.

Sunday, August 14 was the day of the Passion Play, a yearly parish effort, and the St. Mary's Public High School had graciously allowed the players the use of their large and air conditioned auditorium for the indoor segments of the play. This year the smoothness of scene changes, acting, and costuming were more professional than ever! It is difficult to imagine that those bearded Israelites, storming Pharisees and stern Romans are all parishioners of St. Mary's who work in offices and factories in their everyday life!

"Behold Thy Mother"—words of Christ from the Cross on the hill of Calvary

Of the seventy-five performers, highlights included SMA graduate Pat Ahearn as the tall and serene Christ. His father, St. Mary's business manager Dick Ahearn, was convincing as Annas—in addition to assisting seminarian Todd Angele direct the play. Bob Martin repeated his excellent performance as Caiphas, as did Fred Fletcher in the role of Pontius Pilate. Del Latham put down his swing band trumpet to be transformed into a despicable King Herod, with Mrs. Latham at his side as Herodias. Gary Gale, in the part of Judas, had the unenviable job of actually hanging from a tree on the road to Calvary, while Gary Melechinsky as St. Peter wept in remorse at having betrayed his Master.

After his trial, Christ was brought forth, a pitiable figure scourged and crowned with thorns, to be sentenced to death. At this point, both audience and cast—with a police escort to direct traffic—returned to campus for the outdoor Way of the Cross. The audience themselves became the crowd following Christ to Calvary—a unique feature of the St. Mary's play that makes it unlike any other.

Along the way, Christ was met by His sorrowing Mother, portrayed by SMC student Rita Angileri. Husky Stan Matel as Simon of Cyrene was pressed into carrying the Cross, while Veronica (Virginia Cain) came forth to wipe His face, and the Holy Women and their children and infants wept over Him. On the hill of Calvary, He was crucified between two thieves while Pharisees taunted Him to come down from the Cross. When all was consummated, He was taken down and placed by His friends in the arms of His Mother. The narrator urged the audience to remember that our sins caused Christ and His Mother so much suffering, and invited them to leave Mother and Son in peace. Thus, with this last moving scene of the Pièta left before their minds, the pilgrims dispersed down the hill for some cool refreshment before going on to Vespers and Benediction.

The Pièta—conclusion of the Passion Play

Sunday evening, again in the public high school auditorium, Bishop Williamson gave a public address to a large crowd. He proceeded, with his usual erudition, to give a complete overview of history since the Protestant Reformation, "putting it all together," so to speak, in illustrating what ails the Church, politics and society. His Excellency showed how—since inspiring a Luther who was very open in his designs—the devil has become more and more devious over the centuries till now he lurks behind the smiling mask and ambiguous statements of the modern-day Liberals who hold the whole mechanism of Rome in their hands. He included long quotes from Archbishop Lefebvre showing why negotiations with Rome broke down, and explained why the "excommunication" of the Archbishop is a farce, as well as is the notion of Archbishop Lefebvre causing a "schism." In a very good question and answer period, additional important points were raised and explained. At the end, the audience—solidly behind the Bishop—gave him a lengthy standing ovation.

It is impossible to summarize this very important conference in a short paragraph; it is available on both video and audio cassette tapes. (See address at the end of this article.)

Monday, August 15, Feast of Our Lady's Assumption

Before the Pontifical High Mass, pilgrims made their total consecration to Our Lady. The High Mass was celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Williamson, assisted by Fr. de la Tour, Fr. DeLallo and Fr. Doran. For the occasion, the choir had practiced all summer, learning the beautiful Mass in G by Cassali. "Beyond words" was one pilgrim's description of the Mass. The intricate movements of the priests and many altar boys at this solemn Mass were surely the most beautiful homage man can give to God in this physical life.

Bishop Williamson officiating at Pontifical High Mass for the Feast of the Assumption

In his sermon on the Assumption of Mary's most pure body into heaven, Bishop Williamson enumerated three lessons it teaches: 1) the honor of womanhood, so defiled today; 2) the need for purity and modesty in our bodies which are made for God, 3) the need of spirituality to help us recall that it is not this life, but the next, for which we are made. He encouraged us to leave behind the ideas of the world and learn the Catholic way, Our Lady's way, of living and dying.

At Solemn Vespers and Benediction that afternoon the Pilgrimage and Marian Year drew to a close. The rays of the afternoon sun spilled into the sanctuary where Fr. de la Tour was officiating in gold cope, and on Bishop Williamson kneeling at the side clothed in the red that indicates the dignity of his new office. May these rays of light remind us to pray fervently that graces from Our Lady's hands will continue to be poured out on priests who labor ceaselessly for us, and on our new bishops who will give us more priests to continue the true Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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