Catholics across Sydney are being invited to once again to take to the streets of Lidcombe in prayer, as organiser Bridget Sakr prepares for the third annual Marian procession in honour of the 2 February feast of Our Lady of Good Success (in Spanish, Nuestra Senora del Buen Suceso).
Several hundreds of people took part in the previous two processions, walking together in candlelight and drawing the attention of residents and shopkeepers.
“It brings people together,” said Bridget, founder of the HeartFELT grief support community which is responsible for the event, with support from the Archdiocese of Sydney.
“People are praying together but also offering up prayers for others – for peace, for families, and for people who are struggling. I think it opens hearts.”
This year’s procession will be preceded by a Divine Liturgy at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lidcombe at 6.30pm, with Cardinal Mykola Bychok and Bishop Richard Umbers celebrating a Ukrainian Byzantine rite in English.
It will make its way from St Andrew’s to St Joachim’s Catholic Church, whose parish priest Fr Epeli Qimaqima previously hosted the Mass and devotion, with other supporters Bishop Umbers and Fr Ronnie Maree.
“This beautiful devotion to Our Lady of Good Success celebrates the joyful outcomes Our Lady obtains for us through her intercession and by God’s divine providence,” said Cardinal Bychok in a video message inviting all to participate.
“It originated in Quito, Ecuador, where for 40 years, from 2 February 1594 to 2 February, 1634 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a cloistered Concepionist nun, Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres.
She spoke prophetically of our times of great spiritual trial in the world; widespread blasphemy, heresy, and the loss of purity, which destroys true love and peace.
“The world today tells us that God robs us of freedom and joy, but Our Lady reminds us that rejecting God only deepens our suffering.
“In this candlelight procession we will fulfil Our Lady’s call, bringing the light of faith and love for Jesus into the darkness of the world.”
In Quito, at the shrine of Our Lady of Good Success, her statue which was commissioned by Mother Mariana depicts Our Lady holding a staff in her right hand and the infant Jesus in her left.
“In certain medieval foundations, abbesses carried a pastoral staff as a sign of juridical authority, custodianship and spiritual motherhood within their communities, as a symbol of governance, not Holy Orders,” Bishop Umbers explained.
“Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso is also depicted holding a crozier, not as a bishop, but as Mother and spiritual superior. Under her patronage, we are inspired to remain faithful to the church amid times of doctrinal confusion and infidelity to the teachings of Jesus.”
Bridget said last year’s event was a powerful public witness of faith and solidarity.
“People are struggling. There are people coming who have lost loved ones, people who are suffering deeply,” she said. “It’s a way to come together as a community and not feel alone.”
She stressed that the procession is centred on faith in Christ, and that Mary is always honoured as one who leads believers to her Son.
“She is a mother who understands suffering,” she said. “She leads us to Jesus Christ, who is our hope, through his death and resurrection.”
Individuals, families and parish groups from across Sydney are encouraged to attend and take part in what Bridget described as a “beautiful and powerful” act of public faith.
