By Mary Stadnyk Associate Editor and Lois Rogers Correspondent

The kind of care that’s needed to grow a garden is similar to the care that’s needed to raise a family, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said as he reflected on the theme of the 2013 diocesan pilgrimage, “The Family as the Garden of Faith.”

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In his homily during the Mass he celebrated in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, Oct. 19, Bishop O’Connell said that “Gardening is hard work,” then spoke of the “planning and effort; design and purpose, care and nurturing that is involved, and the things that apply to gardening, apply to raising, growing and caring for the family.” Bishop O’Connell and some 2,000 faithful from throughout the diocese, journeyed together as a diocesan family to the shrine where they were united in prayer and had an opportunity to offer thanks for the many blessings and graces they have received in their lives.

For many of the pilgrims, their journey from their homes located within the four counties of Bur­lington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean, and even some from other parts of New Jersey, began as early as 5:30 a.m. as they boarded 30 buses and prepared to join in the more than three-hour bus ride.

As the pilgrims stepped off their buses and prepared to enter the basilica (which has the distinction of being the largest Catholic Church in North America and one of the 10 largest churches in the world), they were greeted by Bishop O’Connell’s warm smile and words of welcome.

Once inside the basilica, which is hailed as being the nation’s pre-eminent Marian shrine and dedicated to the patroness of the United States, the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception, the faithful spent their time in prayer, visiting the more than 70 altars and chapels that are dedicated to the saints and to the Blessed Mother, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and walking around the vast outdoor grounds.

In keeping with the day’s theme, which was chosen for the Year of Faith called for by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, an added devotion offered families of all make-ups – young, old, single, married, those with children and those without, the opportunity to receive a special blessing.

The pinnacle of the pilgrimage occurred at 3 p.m. when Bishop O’Connell celebrated Mass in the shrine’s Great Upper Church, with some 20 priest concelebrants, most of whom hailed from the diocese, as well as shrine staff members, 20 permanent deacons assisting and seminarians of the diocese served as minor ministers. The Diocesan Festival Choir, under the direction of Shawn Mack, led the congregation in song, with a selection of hymns that reflected the centrality of the Eucharist and Marian devotion that defined the day.

Participating in the liturgy at the Presentation of the Gifts were members of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River – Catherine and Robert Lauten, Barbara and Art Holst, Louise Juliano and Lorraine Sausa.

At the start of the Mass, Msgr. Walter Rossi, shrine rector, welcomed the Trenton contingent and thanked the Trenton Diocese for being a “strong supporter” of the shrine. He also acknowledged Bishop O’Connell for continuing the tradition of the biennial diocesan pilgrimage, which was inaugurated some 43 years ago.

Bishop O’Connell focused his homily on the Gospel story of the Annunciation, which was proclaimed at Mass. He spoke of how daunting it must have been for the young Mary to hear that she had been chosen to become the Mother of God, but through her faith, she gave her “fiat,” her yes to God.

“Our pilgrimage here today to Mary’s House is an opportunity for us to reflect upon our own faith,” said Bishop O’Connell. “In her own mind and experience, her life was ordinary. She lived her life without much difference from her peers at that time. Yet, he said, Mary was “quite different than any other human being who ever lived” because she never knew sin.

“Unlike Mary, we have been touched by sin. And yet, like Mary, we have also experienced the grace and power of God in our lives, drawing us beyond weakness, moving us closer to him,” said Bishop O’Connell.

Following the Mass, many of the pilgrims spoke of feeling spiritually revitalized and families remarked on how their decision to put aside weekend activities and focus on faith and family was the best possible choice for them. Lucille and Joe D’Angelo of St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, traveled on the bus with St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Lakewood. It was a first time visit for the couple who called the basilica “so beautiful that it takes your breath away.” “It was very inspirational,” said Lucille D’Angelo. Annette Bianchi and Marie Boudreau spoke of the joy they felt in making the pilgrimage.

Noting that it was the third diocesan pilgrimage had coordinated for St. Mary of the Lake, Lakewood, Josette Peterson appreciated how the bus ride contributed “to the joy of a day that includes praying with the bishop and other diocesan priests all together in the shrine. It is spirit-lifting.”

Bianchi and Boudreau described how moved they were that their pastor, Father John Bambrick, traveled along with them, sharing prayers, conversation and his knowledge of the shrine.

Julia Garcia from St. John Neumann Parish, Mount Laurel, said she regarded the day as a personal pilgrimage for strengthening faith in the family as well as a time to pray for peace.

A contingent of parishioners who regularly attend the Latin Mass on Sunday afternoons in St. Anthony Church, Hamilton, accompanied Father Brian Woodrow, diocesan liaison to the Mass in the extraordinary form, to the basilica. First-time pilgrimage participants Peter Consoli and Clara and Michael Coleman said they enjoyed journeying with fellow parishioners and having an opportunity to visit the many chapels in the Great Upper Church as well as in the Crypt Chapel.

“Uplifting and a time for ‘spiritual joy’ was how Joan Giglin of St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, described the pilgrimage. Giglin said that she had been to the basilica many times before during the years when her son, James, was a student in The Catholic University of America, and then-Father O’Connell was president at the time. But this visit was special because she was experiencing the day with her diocesan family.