Local News
Letter to the Editor from Tucker
Published: December 14, 2006
To the Editor:
I am so thankful to Archbishop Wilton Gregory for the wonderful evening Dec. 8 celebrating the feast of the Immaculate Conception. This was the third annual Marian candlelight pilgrimage, but my first—and the experience was personally profound for me. We arrived early with another family to Mass at Sacred Heart so we were able to sit in the second row. A man sporting dreadlocks, possibly homeless, sat in the row in front of us. He shared the row with the Knights of Columbus who were there to honor Christ and our Mother on her feast. During the collection he proudly placed an offering envelope in the basket. I was reminded of Christ watching the people place their money in the treasury. He pointed out to his apostles the woman who dropped a few coins into the box who gave everything she had with a generous heart.
In his homily, the archbishop had a wonderful description of Mary, reminding us that she is the perfect creation, the sinless one. He said that our goal is to realize, “happily ever after,” which by imitating her we will be in eternal life.
After Mass everyone went to the back to begin the procession. I encountered a friend who with glistening eyes said, “Isn’t this great!? Last year it was pouring down rain, and this year it is freezing—the little bit of suffering only adds to the worth of the night!” I was amazed and encouraged by his enthusiasm.
There were votive candles for each person to carry and a statue of Mary surrounded by flowers. We followed the archbishop and priests of the diocese, while praying the rosary as we processed through the streets of Atlanta. What an amazing experience to pray for the city with so many other Catholics in our archdiocese!
We ended at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where Archbishop Gregory blessed us all. It brought to mind my favorite Advent novena, which begins on the feast of St. Andrew: “Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure virgin Mary, At midnight, in Bethlehem in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, oh my God, to hear my prayer and grant my petitions, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.”
I hope next year we will have many more join in this wonderful pilgrimage!
Lucy Daniels, Tucker
