As part of the Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee celebrations in the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Shrewsbury selected an image from our Cathedral as the official icon for the year. Taken from a beautiful stained-glass window designed by the artist Margaret Rope, the icon depicts the Visitation as described in the Gospel of Luke. The image shows Our Lady, having travelled to visit her pregnant cousin, Elizabeth, with St Cecilia to the right. Elizabeth is shown recognising the miracle of Mary’s own pregnancy with Jesus, the Saviour of the World, as she kneels and proclaims the words that have become so familiar to all Catholics throughout the world;
‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb’
This journey to visit her cousin, and her journey towards the stable in Bethlehem is, of course, Mary’s own ‘pilgrimage of hope’. She would have been scared and anxious at the prospect of bearing this huge responsibility, but she knew that God was with her every step of the way. She replies to Elizabeth;
‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior’
The Jubilee Icon of the Visitation has been making its own special pilgrimage across every school in the Diocese since June. Last week it was our turn to receive the icon, which was blessed by Bishop Mark at the Chrism Mass just before Easter. It was brought to us by students from St Peter’s Wythenshawe, who handed it over to us with a beautiful liturgy in our Chapel.
During it’s time with us, we celebrated the icon at Mass with Fr Matthew from Holy Angels…
After that, every student attended a liturgy in the Atrium at which they venerated the icon individually…
O God, we thank you for the life of Edmund Rice.
He opened his heart to Christ present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice.
May we follow his example of faith and generosity.
Grant us the courage and compassion of Edmund as we seek to live lives of love and service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.