On April 24, for the sixth year in a row, the shrine of Our Lady of Montligeon organizes a pilgrimage in memory of the the deceased little ones. It will take place on Divine Mercy Sunday, and will be dedicated to all unborn children, and to their parents.
A pilgrimage for the unborn
At the shrine of Montligeon devoted to praying and engaging people to pray for the deceased, it was essential to give a special place to show support to parents who had been expecting a child but whom they did not get to embrace, who did not get to live, whatever the reason might have been (ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage,
abortion, medically terminated pregnancy, still-birth, etc.).
Hence in 2017, the shrine of Montligeon inaugurated a Way of the Resurrection to help women and couples who had lost their child before birth to word their suffering, acknowledge their bereavement, and thus, enable them to move forward.
Entrusting one’s child to the prayer of the Fraternity of Montligeon
The Way of the Resurrection follows the stations of the Way of the Cross, in Christ’s footsteps after His own. The Way of the Resurrection closes in the dedicated side-chapel within the basilica, where a statue of Our Lady cuddling the Infant Jesus greets parents. At this stage, they are invited to name their little one, as an ultimate step in attesting their child’s brief passage and existence. The name, written in the register of the deceased little ones, will join will join all the names of the deceased enrolled in the Fraternity of prayer of Montligeon, ever since its creation over one hundred years ago, and kept in the obituary cabinet at the basilica.
Pilgrimage schedule
10:00 – Meditations & Confessions
11:00 – Holy Mass
12:30 – Lunch
14:30 – Divine Mercy Rosary & Way of Consolation
15:45 – Vespers & benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
In addition for pilgrims who wish to arrive a day earlier, on Saturday, April 23, the Sisters of the New Convenant will offer a special prayer vigil at 20:30 in the basilica.
Holy Mass for the deceased little ones every first Tuesday of the month
Every first Tuesday of the month, Mass is celebrated for the unborn (aborted, miscarried, still-born) and for the deceased little ones not baptized.
You may send in your petition, use the online contact form and choose “Prayer intention” in the “topic” section. It is then be entrusted to the celebrant of the forthcoming Mass for the deceased little ones.
Where does the feast of Divine Mercy originate?
A Polish nun, now Saint Faustine Kowalska (1905-1938), was entrusted by Christ Jesus to prompt humankind about Divine Mercy by means of four measures, specifically that of marking the Divine Mercy Sunday:
“I desire that the First Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy.”( Diary entry 299). I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened.” (Diary entry 699)
Jesus spoke of this feast during several of His revelations.
