From our hotel we walked to the train station and took the train to North Sydney, from which we intended to walk to the Shrine. I called the Shrine yesterday morning for directions but something went wrong. Either I missed part of the directions or they were wrongly given.
This caused no small bit of consternation from the pilgrims, but after a quick stop at a parish we walked by we were on our way to the Shrine, back the way we could just come.
Every pilgrimage has its own difficulties and opportunities to embrace the Cross of Christ. Little pilgrimages are no different.
We were greeted at the Shrine very warmly and led into the church. A larger group was at the tomb so we sat down and prayed, waiting for our opportunity to visit the tomb.
When the larger group finished they sang the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary in very simple but moving tones. I’m going to have to look for it. We joined them in the prayer and afterwards visited the tomb.
Blessed Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne in 1842 and she died in Sydney in 1909. Her motto was something like this: “Never see a need without doing something about it.” Would that we would follow her words!
The holy card that we were given also had a quote from Blessed Mary, one that seemed most appropriate given the frustrations of our journey to her tomb:
Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them cheerfully, remembering whom you are trying to follow. Do not be afraid, love one another, bear with one another, and let charity guide you in all your life.
After praying at her tomb we continued along to the giftshop where I purchased a book on her life.
To get to the giftshop it was necessary to pass through a courtyard in which a group of Sisters apparently used to sing and play musical instruments:
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