More than 5,300 pilgrims traveled with the same mind and spirit May 6 on the 10th annual “Walk to Mary” in eastern Wisconsin.
Keeping company with another couple much of the way, my wife and I traversed the 21-mile stretch from the National Shrine of St. Joseph in De Pere, Wisconsin, to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, named after the small, rural town of Champion. Pilgrims carried with them the intentions of thousands in the form of prayers and petitions of their own and of others to the only Church-approved Marian apparition site within the United States. The litany of St. Joseph got us on our way, and there were breaks every seven miles to nourish the body and spirit (and maybe nurture a blister forming). Holy Mass concluded the day.
For centuries, Catholics have dedicated the entire month of May to the Blessed Mother, so it is not a coincidence that a statue representing her presence would lead this procession from shrine-to-shrine —helping her children act with one accord. Prompting her powerful intercession along the path of pilgrims, one could hear and participate in rosaries, chants of the Regina Caeli, memorares and other tributes to enhance private devotions. Or simply talk to others and if moved by the Spirit, offer or enlist prayer intentions of fellow pilgrims. Because the Blessed Mother centers and leads us — as she did the first Apostles — closer to and deeper in love with Jesus.
As we draw nearer to Pentecost later this month, we continue to be enriched with readings of the Acts of the Apostles. “All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brethren” (Acts 1:14). Just prior to his ascension to the Father, Jesus promised his disciples they would soon receive the Holy Spirit as their Advocate. To fulfill the Scriptures, Matthias was chosen to replace Judas, through prayers with one accord, to bring the apostleship back to the original 12. “His office let another take.” (Acts 1:20). With one accord the early Church began at Pentecost — 3,000 were baptized. The power of the Holy Spirit was at work in them to convert and transform the world as they knew it.
Peter Kreeft, a renowned Catholic philosopher and theologian from Boston College, quipped in one of his commentaries (Food for the Soul, 2022) about the Acts of the Apostles: “any church or individual without the Holy Spirit experiences a power shortage.” The early disciples of Jesus had no lack of the power of the Spirit in them. Reading throughout Acts, one can sense their zeal about all that was being done by them with one accord. Many people with unclean spirits, paralyzed, and sick with other physical and mental afflictions were cured. Even the dead were raised! Post-Pentecost, they experienced the joy and supernatural help of the Holy Spirit.
That is how the apostles operated; with no power shortage when it came to their faith, hope, deeds and activities, and of course, their prayer lives. They worked diligently, with such a deep love for Jesus that they gave of themselves completely. And many would give up their lives for the sake of saving the souls of others by doing their part in spreading and sharing the Good News. Jesus told his disciples that God the Father would give them “another Advocate to be with you always.” (Jn 14:16). Always is here and now, the present moment, of being in the grace of God as true believers. That same Holy Spirit that Jesus promised his disciples would be with them until the end of the age can ignite and burn within our hearts to lead others — perhaps starting on the home front — to obtain joy and happiness in a deep love for the Lord. After all, before the grandiose conversions, baptisms and transformative activities at Pentecost — it was pretty much about small groups. Come Holy Spirit!
Deacon Bird ministers to St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville and assists with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ Catholic Watchmen movement. See heroicmen.com for tools to enrich parish apostolates for ministry to men. For Watchmen start-up materials or any other questions regarding ministry to men, contact Deacon Bird at gordonbird@rocketmail.com.
