The Church in Aotearoa/New Zealand is gearing up to celebrate the rededication our country to Our Lady of the Assumption this coming August 15th at St Mary of the Angels in Wellington which will become the National Shrine of Our Lady on that day. A special artwork has been commissioned by the Bishops which will tour the country and on the feast of Annunciation be installed at St Mary's.
I wrote a song to connect with this event and it is my hope that it becomes a song of pilgrimage.
The words are below and the song can be heard and downloaded from the Website
www.tearaamaria.nz which contains information about the rededication and other resources to celebrate this occasion.
Hata Maria
Mary, gather us as one (Awe Maria)
From your place in heaven united with your Son (inoi koe mo matou, Maria)
Mary, in this holy shrine (Awe Maria)
Touch the hearts of pilgrims
And touch this heart of mine (Hata Maria)
Your journey into heaven
We revere and we rejoice
Recall the dedication long ago
Under your protection
We are proud to raise our voice
Keep us safe forever in your love
Mary, gather us as one (Awe Maria)
From your place in heaven united with your Son (inoi koe mo matou, Maria)
Mary, in this holy shrine (Awe Maria)
Touch the hearts of pilgrims
And touch this heart of mine (Hata Maria)
Our people and our country
From the North unto the South
These islands and these waters we call home
Knowing that you’re with us
Gives us hope and the way through
We see the light of Christ alive in you
Mary……….
Instrumental
Mary…………end with Hata Maria, Hata Maria, Hata Maria.
(Song composed by Chris Skinner SM for National Shrine of Our Lady at St Mary of the Angels in Wellington, August 15th, 2021, commemorating the Dedication of Aotearoa/New Zealand
to Our Lady of the Assumption by Bishop Pompallier on January 13th 1838)
You can listen to the new song, 'Hata Maria' (St Mary) during this coming week as we prepare to celebrate the feast of the Assumption and the rededication of our country to Mary under this title. Copy and paste the link below to hear the song and to download a copy for yourself if you wish.
https://www.tearaamaria.nz/celebrate#hata-maria