Pilgrimage notes

On March 8, 2019, the Georgia Emmanuel Community organized this year’s pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, AL.

Each household (Flowery Branch, Roswell, and Gainesville) participated in the retreat and was happy to share a couple of days with their brothers and sisters praising, teaching, and adoring Jesus in The Blessed Sacrament. We also had some guests from North Georgia, Atlanta and Alabama who came to enjoy this time with us. The retreat began on Friday with the celebration of the Mass; it continued Saturday with praise, children activities, a teaching on “desire”, a Mercy hour, wonderful food and snacks, and adoration. On Sunday, we completed our retreat with praise, another teaching on “Adoration,” and the celebration of Mass. One of the most memorable moments was the communal walk praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet which began at the shrine’s courtyard and ended at the foot of the Pieta Statue.

The symbolism was profound as we, the church, implore together for Mercy walking towards Mary who shows herself carrying the body of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. While this pilgrimage encompasses the aspects of Evangelization, Compassion, and Worship, the most important element, perhaps, is the love that each member has for each other and how we are willing to live this communal life through and in the faith of our Catholic Faith.

Pablo (GA)