In the final celebration of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee, more than 3,000 pilgrims from every parish and cultural community in the diocese made a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Oct. 5.
Many were awestruck to see the largest Catholic church in the U.S. filled beyond capacity. “It’s very emotional,” said Reyna Garcia, a parishioner of Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling. “I cannot describe what I’m feeling with words. Sometimes you go to Mass and only see small crowds, but here we are thousands.”
The day began with long lines of pilgrims taking advantage of the sacrament of confession, offered in several languages represented in the diocese. “To see so many priests together and so many people coming to confession to receive that grace is beautiful,” said Yenny Hernandez, a parishioner of St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax. “It feels like I’m at home. There’s such happiness and peace.”
“When you come to something like this, you realize we are part of something huge, old, beautiful and alive,” said Father Stephen M. Vaccaro, parochial vicar of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Winchester, who served as the pilgrimage announcer. “This can really transform your faith. It’s a great grace and a great day.”
With the pews filled for Mass, pilgrims didn’t hesitate to worship in the outer aisles and narthex. “This is a true communion of the body, coming from all corners of the diocese and sharing in the same spirit of hope,” said Ndiashea Ngante of the Cameroonian community at St. Mark Church in Vienna. “The Holy Spirit is always with us, but it manifests itself when you have these numbers. It elevates you. Even if you don’t know how to sing, you want to sing.”
“We gather today as a diocesan family and as brothers and sisters in Christ,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge in his homily. “That is why St. Paul tells us to be kind to one another, gentle, and compassionate, to forgive one another, to love one another, and let nothing divide us for we are the one body of Christ. St. Paul assures us that when we live in such a manner, the peace of the Lord will be in our hearts.”
Many took advantage of spiritual reflections offered in English by Father Keith M. O’Hare, pastor of St. Louis Church in Alexandria, and in Spanish by Father Matthew H. Zuberbueler, pastor of St. Anthony Church in Falls Church.
“There’s something sacred and unique about this,” said Joyce Williams, a parishioner of Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria. “It’s wonderful to have fellowship together as people of God.”
During the lunch break, Delenia Lopez-Duarte sat in the cafeteria and spoke through a translator of her heartache for persecuted Catholics in her native Nicaragua. “There’s such a difference. In Nicaragua, we don’t have liberty to do this,” said Lopez-Duarte, who came with a large group of pilgrims from Sacred Heart of Jesus. “I am so happy to see everybody coming together in this beautiful basilica, because in my country you can’t do this.”
The day of celebration culminated in eucharistic adoration and a solemn procession with the Blessed Sacrament led by Bishop Burbidge. “Life here on earth is merely a pilgrimage, a journey, leading us to our ultimate goal — life with God forever in heaven,” said Bishop Burbidge. “Thus, we are invited not merely to focus on the things of this world that distract and disappoint us but to keep our eyes fixed above, on the things that truly matter, on heavenly things. If we do, we will know the Lord’s peace both now and for eternity.”
“The Holy Spirit draws people to events like this for a reason,” said Sally Vencil, a parishioner of Sacred Heart of Jesus. “It’s beautiful.”
