Two dozen young adults trekked to the far corners of Oahu June 8 for a “Heart to Heart” pilgrimage commemorating the feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The pilgrims turned four sightseeing stops and 60 miles of driving into a spiritual experience. They said prayers and engaged in devotions to the Sacred Hearts and learned about the history and good works of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary who brought the Catholic faith to Hawaii.
Their first stop was a morning visit at Sacred Heart Church in Waianae, a district significant in the history of the Hawaiian church. It was there on the leeward side of Oahu, far from Honolulu, that many Catholics fled during a decade of religious persecution, 1829 to 1839.
Next the pilgrims traveled through the Koolaus to the Windward side and Sacred Hearts Center in Kaneohe, a residence for Sacred Hearts priests, brothers and novices, and the location of the order’s main offices.
After lunch and fellowship, the pilgrims then ventured to Sacred Heart Church in Honolulu. The beautiful bluestone Gothic church, with its towering stained glass window art, was the site for a few moments of prayer and reflection.
Normie Galapon of St. Joseph Church in Waipahu wrote down these thoughts about that stop:
“I believe that the moment I felt closest to God on this pilgrimage was when we visited the Sacred Heart Parish in Punahou. In the church was a great stained glass image of the apparition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The image took up the entire wall on the right side of the church, and just seeing how the sunlight illuminated the image and those truly beautiful, bright and hopeful rays pour down from Jesus’ heart on St. Margaret Mary just filled me with awe and hope.
“Yes, it was just an image (an immensely beautiful one) but all that it illustrated — Jesus’ most Sacred Heart aflame with such a burning, unconditional and passionate love for all of us — was just so invigorating.”
The pilgrimage ended in Kalihi Valley at St. Anthony Retreat Center, which is run by the Sacred Hearts order. Sacred Hearts Father David Lupo celebrated Mass at the center’s chapel, and pilgrims joined in praise and worship.
On that destination, Galapon offered further reflection:
“I think the highlight of the entire day for me was being able to go to confession and celebrate Mass at our final stop, the chapel at the St. Anthony Retreat Center. Learning about Jesus’ and Mother Mary’s love the entire day filled me with gratitude, and the only thing I wanted to do was learn more and get closer. The Mass was a true fulfillment of that.”
The “Heart to Heart” pilgrimage was planned by the I.G.N.I.T.E . (“Immaculate Mary Gives New life to Illuminate The Eucharist”) young adult ministry of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ewa Beach. Parishioners from other Leeward Oahu vicariate ministries assisted in organizing some of the music and games for the day.
In conclusion, Galapon wrote:
“I am truly grateful for all the hard work put in by all the coordinators of this event, and so grateful to have been able to experience this with fellow young adults. May the hearts and love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary reign in every aspect of our lives, and may we, through the flame of their love, also set the world on fire.”
