Marian Procession update: Archbishop Prowse

Archbishop Prowse leading the Marian Procession at Galong last year.

Dear Clergy, Religious and Lay Leaders,

It is 100 years since the foundation of St Clement’s Monastery, Galong!

St Clement’s was established in 1918, with the Apostolic Nuncio of the day opening the Monastery. To link in with this historic relationship, His Excellency, Archbishop Yllana, the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia will be the Principal Celebrant and Marian Preacher. He will be joining me, your Archbishop, for the whole day. As this is a significant occasion, the Marian Procession will have a particular focus on giving thanks to Jesus for this holy place and the Redemptorist’s presence in our Archdiocese.

In addition, the Australian Catholic Church is in the midst of the Year of Youth. To facilitate this focus, the day of prayer and celebrations will begin at 9am with a Youth Pilgrimage from Galong Village to St Clement’s. This hour long prayer walk will take place with an Icon of the Holy Family and a large cross, being carried by the young people of the Archdiocese and myself.

The warmer month of October is proving to be a great blessing, with last year’s procession turning out to be a wonderful prayerful day. We were bathed in beautiful spring weather and our numbers were close to 700 pilgrims from a variety of parishes, movements and ethnic backgrounds.

The Marian Procession is on Sunday, October 14 at St Clement’s Monastery, Galong. It will start with Confession at 10.30am, followed by Mass at 11.30a m. A multicultural lunch follows at 12.30, with the procession to the Grotto beginning at 2pm. The Marian Sharing will be conducted from the Grotto. Would you remind your pilgrims to bring food for the day, an umbrella for shade and a chair to sit on.

Please encourage the members of your Parish or community to come along to this delightful day. In addition, please begin preparing any part of the Marian Procession that has been entrusted to you.

Let us journey together, with Mary to the heart of Jesus.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Archbishop Christopher Prowse (Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn)