Today in Wellington we are celebrating the feast of Our Lady's Assumption at St Mary of the Angels. The bishops of Aotearoa/New Zealand are present to declare St Mary's as the National Shrine of Our Lady. In fact the whole weekend has been one of celebration including the centenary of the Church itself. Celebrations have included the new icon written of St Peter Chanel, St Marcellin Champagnat and Venerable Jean Claude Colin on display in the Church for the first time to the public which includes the Marist Seminary first class relic of St Peter Chanel's rib. This icon will be returned to Auckland after the weekend. However the beautiful icon of Our Lady entitled Te Ara Maria (Mary's way) above is to be permanently housed in the Church. This icon has been travelling the country for a year. If you travel to Wellington include St Mary's as a place of pilgrimage given the status of the church as the National Shrine of Our Lady.
Listen to 'Hata Maria', a song composed for St Mary of the Angel's to commemorate these events. https://www.chrisskinner.org.nz/post/hata-maria-video-release.
I shared the song with you last year on the Feast of the Assumption.
Blessing on your week.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.