On Sunday 3 May The Brisbane Parish of the Protection of the Mother of God made the first of its biannual pilgrimages to its new shrine of the Protection of the Mother of God at Marian Valley, Canungera. The pilgrimage included the celebration the Divine Liturgy followed by a
picnic lunch.
The pilgrims consisted of about 40 people including our Gold Coast parishioners. We were very pleased to welcome among us, a number of new Ukrainian immigrants who are becoming valuable members of our parish.
Marian Valley is a private valley near the village of Canungera and is the home of the Pauline Monks whose monastery is located there. The valley is dedicated to the Mother of God and over the years a number of shrines have been established there by various national groups. The Ukrainian Catholic Shrine dedicated to the Protection of the Mother of God is among the latest. The Shrine was blessed by His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav during his visit in September last year.
The main feature of the shrine is a large mosaic of the Protection of the Mother of God made by Brisbane artist Sandra Robertson. The mosaic is both beautiful and sublime and a fitting focus of veneration by the faithful. The Ukrainian shrine is one of the largest at Marian Valley and comfortably accommodates the celebration of the Divine
Liturgy.
Ukrainians visiting the Gold Coast should consider adding Marian Valley to their itinerary.
Fr. Stepan Sapun
