During the week of October 20th and 27th, 2013, Queen of Peace Church in Sarnia, Ontario was home of the Pilgrimage of the statue of St. Michael the Archangel from Gargano, Italy. From Tuesday until Saturday, we were further honored with the presence of guest clergy from Detroit, London and Corunna.
Two Masses were celebrated daily –one at 8:00 am in Engish, and one at 7:00 pm in Polish. Each morning the Mass was preceded by the ‘Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament’ starting at 7:00 am. At each Mass, the Chaplet of Praise of God with St. Michael the Archangel and the Angelic Choirs of Angels’ was recited just before the final Communion Prayer. The Chaplet of St. Michael was recited immediately following the Mass.
Because of the excellent pre-planning by our pastor, Father Eugene Dziedzic, parishioners and visitors turned out in surprising numbers each day of the Pilgrimage. On October 20th at the 9:30 am opening Mass, the icon of St. Michael the Archangel was carried in procession by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Color guards dressed in full regalia. As well, the Color guards in full regalia carried the statue in procession to the sacristy at the concluding Mass on October 27th at the 11:00 bilingual English and Polish Mass .
Each Mass included a sermon about the important role of Angels in our lives and the inspirational hymn ‘They come, God’s Messengers of Love’ (Tune: All People that on Earth do Dwell ). In the end, people left Queen of Peace Parish understanding more clearly the powerful intercessions that Angels can have in our lives.
