Representatives of 14 shrines from the United States and Canada gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche November 6-8 for the NASPA Annual Convention. The Theme for 2024 was "Pilgrims of Hope: Preparing for the 2025 Jubilee. Shrines play a special role in this Holy year as many of them have been designated as Holy sites by their local Bishops.
The Convention featured Speakers from around the Globe who spoke on the theme of Hope and Shrines Evangelical role in the Jubilee year.
Bro. Ivan Panganiban, a Lay-Secretary of the ACSP - Association of Catholic Shrines and Pilgrimages of the Philippines. Gave the Keynote address Wednesday night titled, "What is a Shrine? Fully embracing a Shrine's Identity."
"The NASPA 2024 Convention experience was a remarkable opportunity for Shrine Rectors, Administrators, and Operators to gather and share their cherished experiences and challenges when handling this blessed apostolate of providing pastoral care for pilgrims in our shrines," said Bro. Panganiban. "As a speaker for this convention, I have witnessed the warm welcome of the organizers and delegates as well as the commitment of the shrine members to learn more and be equipped with lessons both in theory and practice for the well-being of pilgrims going to sacred sites. I am hopeful that all our shrines may be able to practice excellence in evangelization through the seven (7) aspects of shrine-hood: being a center of worship, proclamation and witnessing, devotion, catechesis to pilgrims, spiritual ecumenism, charitable work, and culture. I congratulate the NASPA board for this year’s gathering and we are hopeful for more collaborative efforts between NASPA and the ACSP - Association of Catholic Shrines and Pilgrimages of the Philippines."
On Thursday Nov. 7, attendees heard two talks, one from Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery of Evangelization, who spoke via Zoom on welcoming pilgrims in the Jubilee year, and Msgr. Vito Buonanno, Associate Rector and Director of Pilgrimages of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception who spoke about celebrating diverse devotional practices.
"The experience of bringing people to the shrine and when they are there, the moment is so powerful." said Msgr. Buonanno. "We are called to be pilgrims, pilgrims of hope. Like what Jesus said in the Last Supper as he spoke to the Father: 'That they may be one as you are with me'. There is great diversity among our pilgrims that should lead us to one Church, one community. There should be a catechetical understanding, a mission to make the mystical body of Christ as sojourners in this pilgrim Church."
In between sessions, attendees were able to connect with shrine vendors in the exhibit hall, a new addition to the NASPA Convention.
Attendees also enjoyed a tour of the Shrine Grounds, Mass and Trolley tour led by Diocese of St. Augustine's Director of Archives & Records Management Katy Lockard.
On the Convention’s final day, Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier celebrated a beautiful outdoor Mass at the Shrine's rustic altar and gave a talk titled, "Being Witnesses of Hope in our Shrines." He shared with attendees that it was on a pilgrimage that he was inspired to pursue the priesthood and that continued visits to sacred sites during seminary deepened his faith over time.
"Shrines offer a remedy for this constant desire to the anxiety that allow us to respond poorly
to life," said Bishop Pohlmeier. "Shrines give opportunities to slow down and allow us to recognize our personal relationship with God. When we come to a place like this, we come to encounter God. These opportunities to be nourished and fed and the confession lines prove the effect of a shrine in a pilgrim's life. The relationship shows us love that drives out fear, which in turn brings us hope."
The 2024 Convention concluded with the Annual Business meeting which was open to all NASPA members both in person and over Zoom. President Carol Bezak, Director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, NY was reelected to her second two-year term as president while Christine O'Connor, Director of Pilgrimages at the Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling, NJ was also reelected to her second two-year term as Treasurer. Miguel Mireles, executive director of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma city, OK was elected as a board member at large. NASPA still has three open board positions. They will accept nominations until December.
"This year's NASPA Convention at the beautiful National Shrine of Our Lady of Le Leche in St. Augustine, FL was well attended and memorable,” said Bezak. “It brought together many Shrines from around the US and Canada and was a true testament of everyone's dedication to Shrine ministry. Our Convention speakers gave wonderful presentations that will have a lasting effect on our future work. The collaboration and camaraderie each day grew into friendships that will help keep our mission, focused on being 'Pilgrims of Hope' as we prepare for the upcoming 2025 Jubilee Year and beyond!
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