First Communion Pilgrimage

Our trip to the Grotto last Saturday was very awesome. I've attached some pictures for you, though they don't even begin to do the Grotto justice. For more information about this phenomenal "8th Wonder of the World", check out their website: http://www.westbendgrotto.com/.

We arrived around 11:30-about 30 minutes earlier than we intended. Mapquest thought it would take nearly 3 hours, but even driving the speed limit and stopping to grab sunscreen we got there in 2.5!

This was the back of the sign that greeted visitors. We definitely felt the blessings!

This was the first grotto that we entered. There are 9 total.

This grotto glorified the Trinity. Mary is holding baby Jesus out for the world. The symbolism was very deep and meaningful and the children loved finding the hidden words and symbols in the stone.

This is the ceiling of the first grotto. It is meant to represent heaven!

This is the Christmas chapel. The pictures don't even begin to convey the beauty! There are beautiful pearls and precious stones that adorn this grotto that is called "Glorification of the Incarnation." It was quite a stark difference from the other nativity, which emphasized the poverty and humility of the Holy Family and our Lord especially. It is very plain and the whole structure is made with petrified wood.

This is the empty tomb. Visitors purchase roses in honor of loved ones (instead of lighting candles) and place them throughout the grotto. This was a favorite spot! He is Risen! Alleluia!

Check out these ordinary looking rocks.


Just like human beings, the outside doesn't always show the true beauty. We must look at things with the right light! (in this case, blacklights!)

There are many, many more pictures. Those who joined us on the pilgrimage definitely want to go back! This will be a yearly pilgrimage for our first communicants! They have a campground next door for those of you who like the early morning quiet. This is the largest collection of precious stone and rock anywhere in the world, created and maintained for the glory of God!

It was truly a gift for the ages. Thank you, Father Paul!

Liturgy of Light

Have you ever been to a Mass and experienced a holy moment and just wanted to stop and think and rest in the beauty of the experience? The Liturgy of Light is kind of like that. This "paraliturgy" is a borrowing of elements from the most intense and beautiful liturgy of the Church year: the Easter Vigil.

Isolating one aspect of this 2-3 hour liturgy, we focus on the Christ candle--hence the name: Liturgy of Light! We also have a child-friendly Exultet sung, which is one of the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard intoned! If you'd like to hear it again, check out the video I have attached!

The children's work in the atrium following the paraliturgy was truly a fruit-bearing exercise. Some children got to work making 3D Easter candles, complete with the symbol for the Alpha and Omega and the incense marking the five wounds of Christ. One child made a cross and taped stones on the parts of the cross where the wounds/incense nails would be. Last year, a child drew a beautiful picture of the Easter candle in the darkness with the bright light eminating from it.

This year, a new child who is in 1st grade made a booklet. One the front page she wrote Jesus, God, Love. The second page was black and on it she wrote (in black) "Can you see me, Good Shepherd?" and on the final white page she wrote, "I can see you in the darkness, Love, Jesus."

We also had a child in the older grade (not CGS) who shared with us an intense experience of Jesus during the Liturgy of Light. He said that he sat there and closed his eyes and tried to think about what God might look like (contemplation!), and he said he saw an image of Jesus--but he looked different than the pictures--and his face was in the flame of the big candle.

It is amazing the fruits that come from prayer and giving God the opportunity to work with souls. CGS is about creating an environment where God and the child meet, but it's funny because any catechist will tell you that when you give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to light a flame in a child's heart, you can't help but be set on fire, too. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

Amen.

Mandie DeVries, Catechist & Director of Faith Formation

Here is the video.. The Exultet starts at around 3m30sec. The first part is very like the Liturgy of Light in that there is silence and the spread of light! Divided but undimmed!