(ZENIT News / Cancún, 08.09.2024).- The consecration of the “Parish-Shrine of Mary Undoer of Knots, took place in Cancún at midday last May 31, feast of the Visitation of the Most Holy Virgin. Monsignor Pedro Pablo Elizondo, LC, the local Bishop, presided over the concelebrated Eucharist in which other priests also concelebrated, the majority Legionaries of Christ, the Congregation to which the Shrine has been entrusted.
A great number of faithful and pilgrims also participated, either in person or through the social networks, as well as the Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, Mrs Mara Lezama, other political leaders, and friends and benefactors of the Shrine.
In keeping with Canonical Law (cc. 1230-1236) certain requirements were necessary for the canonical erection that raised the Parish to the category of a Diocesan Shrine, such as being the object of pilgrimages, having a particular piety or veneration, being attended by pilgrims, offering pastoral care to the faithful through preaching, liturgical life and the celebration of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance, among others.
Since its beginning eight years ago, the Shrine has consolidated as the object of national and international pilgrimages. At present it welcomes an average of 15,000 people weekly. The pilgrims visit and pray in one of the six Chapels of the Shrine, follow the trails where it is possible to hang white slats with petitions to the Virgin Mary (or coloured ones if the grace or favour has already been granted).
In his homily for the consecration, Monsignor Elizondo highlighted the work of the Legionaries of Christ and the intercession of our Mother under the title with which She is invoked in that Shrine. It is a “place of encounter with God through Mary, of many blessings and miracles. [The Virgin] has not appeared but certainly manifests herself. {It is a place of] petitions, consolation, forgiveness and reconciliation.”
The altar, which contains relics of the first Roman Martyrs, of the first Jesuits, and of Blessed Carlo Acutis, was consecrated during the celebration.
With the reading of the Decrees, the Shrine was plced under the custody of the Legion of Christ. Father Luis Pablo Garza, LC was appointed Parish Priest and Rector and Father Juan Pablo Ledesma , LC, its Vicar. Father Federico Juárez , LC, assists pastorally in the Shrine.
At the end of the Eucharistic Celebration, the Governor of the State thanked the work carried out for the good of the citizens and witnessed her faith publicly.
Held days later were two events related with the Shrine: the presentation of the Shrine’s new book in the Hotel Nizuc, in the presence of the Secretary of Tourism of Quintana Roo, and friends and benefactors. Subsequently, there was a race with families in which 500 runners took part.
This is the Shrine’s Website: https://desatadoradenudos.org/.
