“I Am With You Always”
Before departing for Heaven, Our Lord declared that He would remain with us always, until the end of time (cf. Mt 28:20), a promise that is admirably fulfilled in the Blessed Eucharist. In gratitude for this immense proof of love, the Heralds of the Gospel spared no efforts in celebrating the Solemnity of Corpus Christi with splendour. Noteworthy among the ceremonies in which they participated were those in the Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles, in Caacupé, and in the cathedral of Asunción, in Paraguay; at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, in Tocancipá, Colombia; and in Brazil, at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Caieiras (SP); at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, in Piraquara (PR); as well as in the Heralds’ houses in Juiz de Fora (MG), Maringá (PR), Mariporã (SP) Lauro de Freitas (BA), Rio de Janeiro and San José in Costa Rica.
Spain – On June 15, numerous members of the faithful gathered in the Sanctuary of Cerro de los Ángeles, in Getafe, for a ceremony of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. After the crowning of the Pilgrim Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, there was a recitation of the Rosary, as well as the celebration of the Holy Mass, during which the consecration took place, and a procession around the shrine esplanade.
Portugal – In May and June, the Heralds of Portugal participated in various evangelizing activities including the Fifth National Eucharistic Congress, the closing procession of which headed to the Shrine of Our Lady of Sameiro; the Corpus Christi processions in Lisbon and Porto; and the procession in honour of St. John the Baptist in Braga.
Brazil – The City Council of Joinville paid tribute to the Heralds of the Gospel in a special session held on May 29, in recognition of the work that the institution carries out in this large city in Santa Catarina State.
United States – A retreat on the Sacred Heart of Jesus brought together members of the faithful of Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish, Queen of the Holy Rosary, on June 8, in the city of Greenwood (IN). The program consisted of talks, a procession and the celebration of the Eucharist.
Peru – From May 14-19, the city of Acobamba in the Department of Huancavelica, one of the poorest regions of Peru, fervently welcomed the Pilgrim Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which was taken on visits to schools, health centres, public offices, family homes and the local parish. The last day featured a pilgrimage to the peak of Mount Cobreminas, more than four thousand meters above sea level, where Holy Mass was celebrated with the participation of hundreds of faithful.
Italy – The commune of Dugenta, in Benevento, welcomed the Pilgrim Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with fervent devotion from June 6-8. Masses, catechesis, processions and visits to the sick marked the passage of the Blessed Virgin, who bestowed her blessings on all. On June 13, the Heralds participated in the traditional Mass and procession of St. Anthony, in his shrine in the city of Padua.
Guatemala – Another “Night with Mary” was held at the Westin Camino Real Hotel in Guatemala City. After the crowning of the Pilgrim Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a benefit dinner was held for the construction of the Heralds’ church in that country, during which diners enjoyed an uplifting concert.
Belize – Members of the Heralds of the Gospel from Guatemala undertook a largescale Marian Mission in Belize, a small country in Central America from June 16-23. The Pilgrim Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary toured parishes, schools and radio and television stations in several cities. In the photos, visit to the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Benque Viejo; to the Sacred Heart of Jesus College, in San Ignacio; to the Church of the Immaculate, in Orange Walk; to the Co-Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the capital Belmopan, where the Prime Minister, Johnny Briceño, crowned the statue and entrusted the country to the protection of the Blessed Virgin; and to the Guadalupe Media studio, in Belize City.