“Go forward in procession with branches even to the altar”.
– Psalm 118
Many pilgrimages throughout the ages have been inspired by the above psalm. For the Allen Hall community, the evening of October 13th meant going forward in procession with rosaries, as the seminarians and formators joined the Willesden procession for Our Lady of the Rosary.
The shrine of Our Lady of Willesden leads an annual procession where the laity, clergy, and all those in between, witness to the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary through the streets of the surrounding area. With the crucifix bearer, thurifer, acolytes, and altar servers lighting the way. The statue-bearers close behind, and all the faithful gathered until as far back in the procession as they could be. All those present moved and prayed as one. The Allen Hall seminary followed close behind Our Lady, presenting all the faithful to the infant Jesus in her arms, and led the people in the mysteries of the Holy Rosary as everyone’s voices melded into one, echoing throughout the streets. Amongst the months dedicated to Mary the Mother of God; October is particularly remembered as the month of the Holy Rosary. We are all urged to entrust her with our deepest desires, knowing that her love holds a special place in the Sacred Heart of Christ Jesus her son.
Sundays in the seminary are particularly proactive as the seminarians are sent out to pastoral placements in the surrounding parishes. Those in schools, hospitals, and prison chaplaincies (to name but a few) throughout the week, go out to parishes in the diocese as well. From our various placements, we all arrived at the Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden. One can only recall, from Sacred Tradition, how the First Apostles were gathered from their various locations when the earthly life of Blessed Mary was coming to an end. Since Christ Assumed her, body & soul, into Heaven; the Mother of God has remained constant in her intercession for all humanity. Each person in their travels maintained the calling of the Apostles by grace. At the end of the procession, a short homily was preached which touched on the unyielding desire of Blessed Mary to accomplish her Son’s mission of inner conversion through our praying of the rosary regardless of where we are or how low we are brought down.
The seminarians were assured of the parishioners’ prayers each and every week as they constantly offer our lives and vocations from Mary to Jesus. The seminarians and formators express their gratitude to everyone for their support. A special thank you to the Shrine for providing refreshments to the group as we began to gather for the start of the procession.
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary – Pray for us
Find a few pictures on the Seminary Flickr which will be updated throughout the year: Allen Hall’s albums | Flickr