“And seeing the multitudes, he [Christ] had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few.” Mt. ix, 36-37
by Annika DeMaster, 16 – Immaculate Heart of Mary Brigade
Dear fellow Pilgrims,
I would like to ask you to join me in praying for priests to come to the Pilgrimage of Restoration, to minister to the pilgrims.
“Why do we need to pray for priest to come on pilgrimage? I don’t understand why is this so important? We’ve always had priests in the past?” These thoughts may be going through your mind, as they did mine. Why should we ask you now to pray God to bring priests again on pilgrimage?
Well, simply, it is very, very difficult for priests, given all their usual duties of parish life etc., on top of it all to make pilgrimage every year. And often there are too few who can. And the ones that come have far too many pilgrims to serve.
If you have ever been on pilgrimage you probably have looked at the priests and wondered at and admired all that they do for the pilgrims. From saying the traditional Latin Mass every day, to giving talks and meditations to walking all day hearing confessions, and giving spiritual counsel. I am confidant that every single pilgrim has benefited in many ways not only from their good works, but also from their example.
One of the maxims of pilgrimage is, “Nobody makes pilgrimage alone.” I’ve seen the truth of it personally. Along the way to Auriesville, who will absolve me of my sins, if not the priest-chaplains? To see them doing all that we lay-pilgrims do, in addition to their priestly duties, and yet they still have an encouraging word, to teach, or to hear confessions — even to take the backpack from your weary shoulders … now that’s what Christian minstry is really all about!
Now think for a minute what the pilgrimage would be if no priests came.
Having good and holy priests on pilgrimage is more difficult than you may think. There are many hindrances logistically to prevent them from coming and I only heard about these difficulties very recently. While discussing this I suggested, “Why don’t we get some people to pray that God will send priests to us?” — my logic being, if we can’t do it God can! I then quickly learned that when you make a suggestion you might be asked to lead with that suggestion! Thus I have ended up as the leader of a prayer team to pray for priests and their parishioners to come on pilgrimage.
So I ask you: If you have ever benefited from the chaplains on the Pilgrimage for Restoration please join me in begging God to draw priest to pilgrimage to minister to the pilgrims. If you have never been on pilgrimage you can still join us in prayer. God can accomplish many good and amazing things through the Pilgrimage and you can be a part of that.
If you would like to notify me of your decision to join me in prayer or if you have any questions or comments, you can email me at a.demaster.pilgrimage@gmail.com or use the contact form below.
The intention once again is for priest-chaplains:
To beg God to draw them to pilgrimage, and for the chaplains to minister to the pilgrims: including to invite and lead their own flocks on pilgrimage for restoration, on The Way to Auriesville.
“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.” Mt. ix, 38
[contact-form to=’a.demaster.pilgrimage@gmail.com’ subject=’Prayer delegation’ for Priests – Pilgrimage for Restoration 2017][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
