This is a wonderful occasion of prayer and colour, joy and dance, The celebration begins with the procession of banners from all the groups followed by the regional and national banners: the stars and stripes of the US, the chequered red and white of Croatia, the red of Wales, the white of England, the green of Ireland, the blue of Scotland, the blue, yellow and red of Romania, the blue ard red of Slovakia. All follow the national banners of The Pilgrimage Trust and The Irish Pilgrimage Trust. The priests follow and then the bishops of the Trust approach the altar to begin Mass.
The prayers and music, readings and reflections are all specially prepared for the large congregation: the strength of the visual and the power of symbols overcome the huge space that is St Pius X's Basilica. All are invited into the celebration of the Eucharist: Christ's gift to the Church that has become the defining action of the Church. Here we continue a tradition that stretches back through the centuries: we, the post resurrection Church, gather together to break the bread and drink the wine; this is our community of faith where we try to remain faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the community, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Here we are strenghtened to live together, to own everything in common to reach out and share with those in need (cf Acts 2,42-47).