Diocese of Toledo
Twenty-three of the 30 pilgrims from Toledo-St Martin de Porres Parish gather in prayer before the 66 mile road trip to the Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue, Ohio. The parish looks forward to this annual “African American Sunday” Pilgrimage and this July 7, 2019 is no exception. A 15 passenger van of pilgrims leads the 4 vehicle caravan to Bellevue with reminisces of past years and anticipation of a wonderful Mass, music and the serenity of the Shrine’s holy grounds.
This annual celebration of black catholic liturgy is inspiring. The weather cooperates with cool breezes flowing throughout the Mass, held in the Shrine’s Outdoor Pieta Chapel. Vocalist Karrie Lester and accompanist Yvette Stephens, enhanced the service with beautiful spirit filled gospel music. Fr. Dennis Chriszt, C.PP.S delivers a joyous message through his homily and song, that indeed, “Our God Is an Awesome God”.
Hospitality following Mass consisted of fried chicken and stuffed cabbage dinners (which were a hit) in the Shrine cafeteria. Among those who enjoy hospitality are parishioners of Cleveland-St. Aldabert. They attend this celebration every year, and seeds are planted for an opportunity to collaborate in the 2020 Pilgrimage. After a satisfying morning of prayer and worship and an equally satisfying lunch, pilgrims meander along the wooded paths to pray or sit in silence at the outdoor Stations of the Cross; absorbing the presence of our Lord among the serene and scenic gifts of nature in abundance on the Shrine grounds.
The pilgrimage ends with devotions in the indoor chapel with individual intercessory prayer and in the presence of a reliquary of Jesus’ cross.
The Diocese of Toledo-Black Catholic Ministry Advisory Team planned the pilgrimage. It was well attended with an estimated 250 to 300 persons, many of whom are Shrine parishioners and vacationers who were delighted to chance upon a special service.
Toledo- St. Martin de Porres Parish is the largest congregation of diocesan, African American worshippers. They provide altar servers Kathryn, Cecelia and Isabella Sholl, and Ta’Jaye Darrington; and Eucharistic ministers Twyla Wheaton, Maynard Porter, Rose Parker and Sandy Donnell; and lector, Shannon Horokowski. Sandusky-Holy Angels Parish member Bil Haney is also as a lector.
Pilgrims say this experience refreshes their spirit, fills them with peace and enables one to return to that feeling of serenity during the hectic and sometimes tumultuous reality of one’s day to day life.
*The Toledo Diocese Office of Black Catholic Ministry is supported by the Black and Indian Mission Grant.
