MONTH OF MAY 2022
Conclaves for Boys and Girls of the Youth Ministry of the ACJM
As part of the formation process, separate conclaves were held in South Goa for the leading members of the Boys' Cell from 29th April to 1st May 2022 and for the leading members of the Girls' Cell on 2nd and 3rd May 2022. Such formation not only enables these youth to face the challenges of everyday life but also moulds them into becoming active and effective leaders in the Youth Ministry thus carrying forward the mission of Christ among the youth.
Virtual Pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal
In order to mark the 105th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady at Fatima, a virtual pilgrimage was organised by the Crusaders over zoom on 13th May 2022. The online event was well attended with members joining from Goa, India and abroad.
Thanksgiving Pilgrimage at Badem, Anjuna-Goa
A Thanksgiving Pilgrimage was organised by the Crusaders at Our Lady of Miracles Church, Badem-Anjuna on Sunday, 22nd May 2022 in order to thank the Lord mainly for two reasons:
- For the 25 long years that He has gifted the ACJM
- For the gift of the Official Recognition bestowed upon the ACJM by the Church.
A sizable number of Crusaders from Vasco, Panjim and Margao registered for the pilgrimage. Majority of them travelled by hired buses - almost half a dozen buses. The animators in these buses led the pilgrims into joyful praise and worship and recitation of the rosary followed by an infilling of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the bus journey, the tone of thanksgiving was unmistakable. All the pilgrims were in high spirits by the time they arrived at the venue.
Having arrived at the Church of Our Lady of Miracles in Badem, the pilgrims placed before the altar the offerings that they had carried along with them in the form of groceries, vegetables, fruits and other items. These would later be distributed by the parish priest to the needy.
After having settled in their seats, the pilgrims were led into a short prayer session by Br. Edmund Antao. This was then followed by the Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by the parish priest of Badem.
The Thanksgiving Mass was followed by the adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Many experienced the healing presence of Jesus during the adoration. A spiritual act of repentance was also done by the pilgrims in the form of walking on their knees from the entrance of the church up to the Blessed Sacrament placed on the altar. The purpose of this was to beg forgiveness for the sins committed by those in the leadership.
After the adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the pilgrims went out in procession carrying the banner of Our Lady and a garland of roses; the parish priest carried the statue of Our Lady of Miracles. The procession ended with garlanding the statue of Our Lady inside the church.
Finally, the pilgrimage ended with a fellowship meal. The fact that many were seen at the venue much after lunch was over only proved that they really missed the Christian fellowship which was hit by the pandemic; but now, here was the opportunity they could not afford to miss - of meeting each other in person. The Badem Pilgrimage was indeed a tremendous Reunion after years of Covid.
