Quito and Lima……Our Lady of Good Success and St. Rose of Lima….the first a Traditional Saint recognized as the first Saint of the Americas….the second a devotion also from the 17th Century but only made known in our modern times. Both devotions bringing their Majesty to our Pilgrims up close in an intímate and personal experience. But there is more…
Father Jean Morel from Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Kenner, Louisiana but originally from France joined us for his fifth Pilgrimage as our spiritual advisor. We started our Pilgrimage in Quito where we revisited Our Lady of Good Success on All Saints Day Then……as all but one of our Pilgrims were returnees (some had been four time before) we visited new sites such as the Monastery of Buen Pastor where the hearts of Garcia Moreno were originally hidden and Monastery La Merced. Of course we had Mass the first day over the tomb of Mother Mariana and the second day in the Chapel of the preserved heart of Garcia Moreno at the Basilica. Father Morel also celebrated two additional Masses on All Souls day at Buen Pastor.
Our flight arrived into Lima in the morning of 3 November for the feast day of St. Martin de Porres. We had Mass in the Chapel with his tomb inside the historic Monastery Santo Domingo. We then spent four spirtiually uplifting days in Lima where we had the Mass in the house of St. Rosa Lima two times and a public Mass in the 17th Century church of San Marcello where numerous locals were in attendance, We also visited there mains of St. Francis Solanos and St. John Macias.
Lima compares only to Quito with its plethora of Spanish Colonial era churches. We were able to visit the numerous churches of the Jesuit, Franciscan, Lazarists orders as well as the famous Cathedral. Of course as with all of our Pilgrimages…..the idea of the "Medevial Feast" is the theme for all of our group meals and Lima with its special cuisine was a treat. Our Pilgrims also had a chance for a Saturday evening shopping spree at the local Indigenous market which has its world famous silver artisans. And in fitting with the Majesty of Spain which was eveident everywhere in Lima……some of our Pilgrims had the rare opportunity to attend a Spanish Bullfight at the oldest Plaza de Toros in Latin America .
We ended our last two nights in Quito with a Mass in front of the original image of La Dolorosa in Quito. Some of the ladies enjoyed some Antique shopping before our farewell dinner at San Marcos.
We cordially invite those interested to join us next year for this annual trip to Quito and Lima. The nobelese of Colonial Spain is no where better diplayed than in Lima. And along with Quito …known as the "Rome of Latin America" these two cities bring the Pilgrim back to days past when Holy Mother Church was supreme in society. Untill the Restoration comes….you must come to Quito and Lima.
