Portolá 250: In Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Latin Style
September 13th in this year of 2019 brought additional significance to the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima, as it was the 102nd anniversary of the fifth apparition of Fatima.
Along the route of the Portolá 250, we have experienced a wide variety of worship styles, from modern to traditional and everything in between. The highlight of tonight’s program at St. Margaret Mary in the heart of Oakland, CA was a true treasure of our Faith— hearing the Litany of Loreto in Latin. Hearing the names of Our Lady in Latin, in a beautiful church, filled with awe and reverence, made this night particularly special. Processing around the block in the middle of Oakland, California with Our Lady and an entourage of ladies veiling also was a sight to be seen and an experience to be remembered.
Tonight, we prayed the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary and as I heard the Gospel during Mass, I was reminded that what Mary pondered in her heart is what makes the Rosary so special. She pondered the life of her Son and gave us a perfect example of how we too should meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary.
Looking back on how this parish was chosen, I was reminded that an old associate of mine from more than ten years ago recommended I reach out to Fr. Glen, the pastor at St. Margaret Mary. While this was my preferred destination parish in the diocese of Oakland, it was not my doing at all but only divine providence that we were able to schedule this location during part of the pilgrimage. Countless people have said this was the parish to choose; but it wasn’t until a fellow parishioner placed the invitation before Fr. Glen, and not until he emailed me the same day, was this location possible. The Spirit obviously orchestrated all these things simultaneously; but wait, there is more!
The parish had already planned their September 13th celebration of the 5th month of the Fatima apparitions; however, it was the addition of inviting the Pilgrim Virgin Statue to the event that would enhance the experience for all those who came. This is how it came about. It simply was the perfect place at the perfect time under the perfect circumstances to visit Oakland. Now that I sit back and reminisce, I think the highlight was getting a blessing from Fr. Glen in Latin – either way, Latin Style was par for the course.
Blessings,
Anthony DeBellis
“Always go forward and never turn back.”
~ St. Junípero Serra
