I am so happy to be part of the Charism Friends of the Missionary Reality of Canada.
I thank you for the warm welcome you showed me when, on Sunday, June 23, 2024, we met for prayer, support, care and love when we went to Lac Ste. Anne, a holy place of our Indigenous Peoples, known also as Wakamne or God’s Lake . When Fr. Les, OMI, told us that Fr. Lestanc, OMI, organized the first annual pilgrimage to Lac Ste Anne in July 1889, I felt so blessed for having had the privilege to visit this place for reflection and contemplation.
Prior to the visit, I was not aware that we were going to visit a holy place where thousands of pilgrims make their way, annually, to the shores of Lac Ste Anne July 20-26, for healing and spiritual renewal. This is the place where everyone is welcome, no matter where you come from, what language you speak, or what challenges you experience in life.
This amazing, holy place that is over 100 years old has become the largest annual Catholic gathering in Western Canada, and was visited by Pope Francis on July 21st 2022.
When I reached there, I felt so safe and very comfortable. I was happy to see the statue of the grandmother of Jesus who was the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Indigenous tradition the grandmother (kookum) holds a very revered and honoured place. She is a wisdom figure for the people, so our People have a deep love for the grandmother of Jesus. I took pictures to share with my friends, so that they also may find time to go visit this Holy place.
I still remember the hot sunny day when we visited. Father mentioned that it was going to rain very soon and, indeed it did rain; the day was so beautiful.
During the time of prayer prior to our barbecue, we reflected on the Gospel story of the Samaritan Woman, we washed one another’s hands with water from the lake and everyone received a copy of the Prayer of the Family of the Incarnation to take with him/her, along with a bottle of water from “God’s Lake”. We enjoyed the verses of prayers and I heard God’s presence. After our prayer Charism Friends, we had a barbecue as friends so we enjoyed that day with the spirit of God.
Thank you God, for that day and I cherish my dear Charism Friends as they all were so good to us.
Yours, Lucia Nankya.
