I was in the Netherlands over the weekend where I visited two churches, one in Utrecht and one in Amsterdam. I have been doing this for four years now. I celebrate the Mass, preach, give a talk and then minister to people, praying for healing and hearing confessions. On the Saturday evening I had the great privilege of taking part in the annual "Silent Procession", a 130 year old tradition in remembrance of the Eucharistic Miracle of Amsterdam. There is information about the procession and the miracle here. 
I went to Mass at the small "Beguinage" chapel which is especially associated now with the story of the miracle (and the hisory of the Beguines in Amsterdam is very interesting). On the Saturday evening and through the night until the Sunday morning Masses were celebrated in different churches. After receiving Holy Communion members of the congregation then walked along a certain route through the city, without vocal prayer or hymns. As each group finished the walk another group began, and so on, through the night. It was very cold but it was wonderful to be part of it. Amsterdam has a bad press - for some good reasons - but, in spite of the poor state of the Catholic Church there, there are some devout and generous people - many of them young - growing in the love of God and Our Lady.
Dear Father John
ReplyDeleteWhat is written below, taken from from your post yesterday, applies to my place of birth.
How I wish WE could have a silent procession but we would need a miracle, the change of heart of two people, a layman and a priest whose electronic vitriol places our local church in such a bad light that many, including myself have kept away.
"... in spite of the poor state of the Catholic Church there, there are some devout and generous people - many of them young - growing in the love of God and Our Lady."
The Pope has spoken of the negative aspects of social networking. I pray those who profess loyalty will temper their use of electronic media especially when in the hands of those whose language is unacceptable denying a valid viewpoint to others.