On the evening of Friday 15 August, the streets of Granville beheld a great sight. As people drove from work or to their Friday night drinks; as friends gathered in the lively South Street restaurants; as families sat down for dinner, a movie or the children’s bed time routine – they witnessed over 150 people processing by candlelight, reciting the rosary, preceded by a bier (a movable frame) holding the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, surrounded by the smoke of incense – all in honour of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
For Catholics, this solemnity (and holy day of obligation) honours the dogma that the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed, body and soul, into Heaven at the end of Her earthly life.
The solemnity is one of great joy – a joy in knowing the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Immaculate, sinless, heavenly Mother, was taken to heaven to adore the Blessed Trinity and intercede for us, the salvation of souls, and the whole church. For Holy Cross Parish Granville, this is also an opportunity to take our Catholic faith to the streets. Following the 6pm Mass in honour of the Solemnity, we solemnly processed by candlelight from Holy Trinity Church to Holy Family Church.
Parishioners process along Woodville Road during a procession for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Image: Richard Zaiter/Holy Cross Parish
Parishioners of all ages took part in the three-kilometre procession between parish churches.
Many even wore Holy Cross Apparel jumpers and t-shirts, especially designed for the evening!
It was especially encouraging to see the number of young Catholics who, in the ultimate counter-cultural act, gave up their Friday night to publicly testify to their Catholic faith and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The solemn candlelit procession was a beautiful witness of young and old joining as a community, in peaceful declaration of faith.
Parish Administrator Fr Galbert Albino incenses a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary during Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Holy Trinity Church, Granville. Image: Richard Zaiter/Holy Cross Parish
Parishioners walked through the crowd, held the speakers high, as the holy rosary was recited and Marian hymns sung.
We saw young men swap their work and school uniforms for the cassock and surplice of altar servers, leading the procession with lamps, incense and the processional cross.
Young male altar servers and Parish Administrator Fr Galbert Albino are seen during Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Holy Trinity Church, Granville. Image: Richard Zaiter/Holy Cross Parish
Parishioners volunteered their evening to wear safety vests and help marshall the procession safely through the busy roads. Groups formed to bear the heavy bier on their shoulders, walking the statue of Mary through the streets.
We walked alongside parents who held to their children, others to large icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary or their rosary beads – and together we peacefully prayed and sung. As we arrived at Holy Family Church an hour later, we knelt before the altar and prayed Evening Prayer. Whilst worn from a long night, we left spiritually nourished by the hours spent in prayer seeking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Parishioners pray following a procession for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Holy Family Church, East Granville. Image: Richard Zaiter/Holy Cross Parish
Holy Cross Parish, Granville, is no stranger to a procession! It was through the careful planning of priests, the parish pastoral council and dedicated volunteers that we were able to host this year’s solemn procession.
Every year, the procession grows with more people taking part. We are grateful for all those who helped make the evening possible, whether through their volunteering or participation.
In the words of St Thomas Aquinas, “As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary.” Under this same guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Cross Parish, Granville, hopes to continue its years-long custom of processions. We welcome all to join.
Special thanks to Holy Cross Parish, Granville, for sharing this story, which aligns with the priorities of Community and Prayer in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
Rosette Chidiac is Sacraments and Youth Coordinator at Holy Cross Parish, Granville.
View all photos by Richard Zaiter and Holy Cross Parish Granville on Flickr
