NZ bishops making joint pilgrimage for Assumption feast

New Zealand’s bishops will gather at the national Marian shrine in August to mark the country’s patronal feast day – the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St Mary of the Angels in central Wellington was dedicated as the Shrine to Mary, Assumed into Heaven on August 14, 2022. It followed the renewal of New Zealand’s dedication to Mary, using that title, in 2021 – 183 years after the country’s first bishop, Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, had done so.

The August 15 Mass this year marks the second of two shared pilgrimages the six active New Zealand bishops are making during the Jubilee Year. In January, they all made a pilgrimage to Northland, culminating in the anniversary of the first Mass on New Zealand soil at Totara Point.

Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin SM said he looks forward to welcoming his brother bishops to the archdiocese, along with other pilgrims from near and far.

“We are celebrating this year of jubilee, with the theme Pilgrims of Hope,” he explained. “This pilgrimage is one we are all making – young and old, women and men, bishops, laity, priests, religious, from our various cultural and ethnic traditions.

“May the Feast of the Assumption be an opportunity for we pilgrims to share in the hope of the Lord and in the understanding of the importance of His Blessed Mother, whom we honour and celebrate in a special way on that day.”

The Mass will be celebrated at 6pm on Friday, August 15. All are welcome.