The Pilgrim Queen of the Family

 

The Pilgrim Queen of the Family is an international lay initiative that began in 2004 and was given the blessing of Pope John Paul II. First introduced to our diocese through the Rosary Link for Vocations, it encourages parishioners to host a shrine ( a tri-fold icon) to Our Lady in their home for one week. During this time families have the special opportunity to pray together using an optional rosary guide with different reflections each month. This shrine travels from home to home and focuses our attention on praying for the sanctity of life, for our families and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Included in this apostolate is a prayer for your parish priest, for Bishop Peter and for Pope Benedict XVI. In order for the shrine to travel throughout the parish, one or more parishioners are needed to simply communicate with those on the list and find a mutual time to pass the shrine to the next family.   

 

In 2009 a group of laity, (inspired by the impact of the Pilgrim Queen of the Family) was formed to further the evangelising mission of the Church. With the blessing of Bishop Peter, this group strives to spread the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe throughout the diocese. They offer support and encouragement to new parishes and schools wishing to host the Pilgrim Queen shrine..

 

The Itinerant Relic Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe

 

In 2010 our diocese was chosen to take part in a mission that would see a full size Relic Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe travel throughout the country. A total of 220 Relic Images exist in the world and were commissioned by Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera in 2004 during a ceremony at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. One of these images travelled throughout England and Wales in 2010 ending with a special mass on December 12th, Our Lady’s feast day. This image has been donated to the diocese of Northampton. It currently resides at St Joseph and the Holy Child parish, Bedford where it is being restored for public veneration.
It is hoped that through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother this too will become a tool for Evangelisation uniting parishioners in prayer for Life, for Families and for Vocations. Team Guadalupe promote the work of SPUC and Luton Good Counsel with the need to pray for our local pro-life charities, offering spiritual support through our ongoing prayers. Team Guadalupe seeks to unite groups in the Church networking among parishes, deaneries and throughout the diocese for one purpose… Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

Andrew Hinde is Co-ordinator of Team Guadalupe, and Canon Seamus Keenan is its supporting priest

 

Our Lady of Guadalupe. . . pray for us !

 

Written by Mags Reilly. For further information please contact her on 07796100583 or via email on pilgrimqueen.uk@gmail.com  ; and visit the website www.pilgrimqueen.org  .