JCI in Hamilton

Hey everybody

Today is Thursday the 28th June and yesterday Hamilton handed the Cross and Icon over to the Auckland Diocese. We had an amazing time during the few days it was in our Diocese and it was quite sad to see it go!

Journey in Hamilton
We received the Cross and Icon from Jane and the Palmerston North Diocese very early on Sunday morning in a beautiful little Marae in Wairoa. The Cross then travelled back to Gisborne where it was processed from St Mary's primary school to Campion College .

It spent the morning there before we took it to Mt Maunganui that afternoon. We meet Bishop Denis here and were welcomed by a powhiri at the Mt Maunganui parish before a service and veneration during the evening. At about 8pm Sunday evening a group of pilgrims (60-70 people) processed the Cross up the actual Mount, in Tauranga. We had a beautiful service on the top of the hill, with prayers and songs, and plenty of photos as well! The Cross was then taken and set up to spend the night at St Mary's Tauranga. This was our biggest day – a little over 24 hours awake in total for some!

On Monday morning the team slept in (!) and completely missed the service at St Mary's. But we did make it to the walk to St Mary's Primary School. Bishop Denis spoke really well to the children here and afterwards they were given an opportunity to touch the Cross and some were able to sign the New Zealand log book. The Cross and Icon then moved to Aquinas College in Tauranga where we were welcomed by a beautiful choir of students from the College followed by a service and veneration. We left Tauranga for Rotorua about midday to arrive at John Paul College , Rotorua, back on schedule.

The Cross spent the night in Rotorua, and after an early morning service on Tuesday it was taken to St John's College in Hamilton . The Cross visited Sacred Heart after St John's then moved down to the Cathedral. At midday a large crowd gathered to take part in the journey of the Cross and Icon down the main street of Hamilton . Estimated numbers were between 1,500 and 2,000 people!! It was a beautiful afternoon and a lovely environment to be praising and expressing our love for our God. There was an all night vigil that evening of which I took part in the 12-1am shift. This was a really beautiful time; there were candles out around the Cathedral and it was very quiet, but I did not feel lonely at all in the large building. The Cross had an amazing presence about it and was very comforting to be around. On Wednesday morning we took the Cross to Auckland to hand over to their Diocese in Otara.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed the past week or so and would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the people involved who made it happen so peacefully. The part of the journey I enjoyed the most was simply making contact with so many other proud Catholics willing to stand up and profess their faith for the God they love. By Wednesday morning there was a strong feeling of unity throughout the entire group which had grown as the group travelled. There were bonds formed within the group, which will never be broken.

I hope that the pilgrims involved will be able to draw strength from these bonds to further live their lives for the Glory of our God.

Thanks again,
God Bless,
- Sarah