Maternity BVM Parish: Celebrating its Patroness

What makes a Viatorian parish different? A special Mass held in August at Maternity BVM Church in Bourbonnais — the Viatorians’ first parish — demonstrated just that. Led by Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, Pastor, and Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV, Associate Pastor, the parish celebrated its “grand re-opening” with an outdoor Mass at its historic grotto on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, patroness of the parish.

“This unique celebration stands out all the more,” Fr. Nesbit said, “because today we gather in a special way to celebrate our patroness.” Even before the liturgy began, parishioners formed a candlelight procession to the interior of the grotto. They were invited to offer their prayers and candles before Mary – and to lay their burdens suffered during the pandemic, before her. “It was a touching moment,” Fr. Nesbit said. “Once everyone had an opportunity to process through the grotto, there were numerous votive lights that shone forth.” In his homily, Fr. Nesbit centered on this theme: “We remember. We celebrate. We believe.” “We remember that there are many in our community who suffered losses directly related to COVID-19,” he said. “We celebrate that we may gather once more as a parish community, that in person, we may be inspired by the gospel and nourished by the Eucharist. “We believe that God will transform us, and that life will not be the same as it was before,” he added, “but that we have in some way learned from this experience and grown in our appreciation for our life and the lives of others.” Viatorians first arrived at Maternity BVM Church in 1865 and have continued to staff the parish ever since. Fr. Nesbit is the 24th consecutive Viatorian pastor. Its grotto was created in 1918, in the image of Our Lady of Lourdes. Br. John Koelzer, CSV, worked with men of the parish to build the grotto, painstakingly laying each stone, beginning in 1915, exactly 40 years after Mary appeared to young Bernadette in Lourdes. Originally, the grotto was dedicated to soldiers fighting in World War I, but over the years countless visitors have found comfort in this holy place, including school children, bridal couples, rosary groups and worshippers of all ages who have sought her intercession. Fr. Nesbit concluded that the grotto proved to be a fitting setting for the transformative event. “We believe that God will provide us as a parish community with new ways to live,” Fr. Nesbit concluded, “as missionary disciples, with a deeper resolve to radiate the light and love of Christ to all.”

Parishioners light candles in front of the grotto. Fr. Moses Mesh offers a blessing for all students returning to school.

Fr. Mesh, left, and Fr. Jason Nesbit, pastor, celebrated the liturgy.